New Delhi
20 February 2007
India on Tuesday expressed "concern" over the "repairs" in the Wall
of the Old Jerusalem city which houses Al Aqsa mosque and other protected monuments
and urged protection of sanctity of the World Heritage Site.
"India has noted with concern about the possible consequences of the repair activities in
the "Al Maghreba" section of the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, housing the Al Aqsa
Mosque and other protected monuments.
"The Old City of Jerusalem including the excavation site are places of great spiritual
significance to the followers of the three monotheistic religions. The peace, sanctity and
spiritual heritage of this Holy City should be maintained.
"Any action that could be construed as affecting the sanctity of this World Heritage Site,
which is the common heritage of all mankind should be avoided at all costs," the
spokesman of Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
In a separate statement, the spokesman said, "India has always supported the
establishment of a sovereign, independent, viable State of Palestine, within well-defined
and recognised borders, living side by side at peace with the State of Israel, through a
negotiated solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and in keeping with relevant UN
resolution."
The spokesman added, "In this context, India has noted the efforts underway towards the
formation of a Palestinian Government of National Unity, in the expectation of a
resumption of dialogue on the Israel-Palestine track,"
Several countries of the world have condemned in strongest terms the "demolition" of
some portions of Al Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli forces and the damages to the
foundations of the Mosque by the digging of tunnels around it by the Israeli forces. They
have said that the damage to the Mosque hurt the feelings of Muslims worldwide.
Israel began digging work near the shrine on February 6. The Palestinians have warned
Israel the work near Islam's third holiest site could worsen the situation in West Asia.
The Arab states have asked Israel to halt the excavation.
Israel claims that the dig in search of ancient artefacts beneath the compound would not
harm the sacred site in Jerusalem's walled Old City. It has said it plans at a later stage
to build a pedestrian bridge at the site to replace a ramp, damaged by a snowstorm and
an earthquake in 2004, which leads up to the complex.
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