Jerusalem Municipality Spokesman
Jerusalem, February 12, 2007
2007-0225-408

The Mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lupolianski, together with Rabbi Shmuel
Rabinowitz, Rabbi for the Kotel and Holy Places, have decided last night to
allow public discussion of the plans to construct the Mugrabi Bridge at the
planning and construction committees. This is due to the sensitivity of the
plan and following meetings and discussions with representatives from
eastern Jerusalem who requested to look over the plans and voice their
opinions. The decision was made after conferring with Attorney General Meni
Mazuz, the planning authorities at the Jerusalem Municipality, the city
engineer and delegates & Mukhtars from eastern Jerusalem.

It should be noted that despite this decision, the rescue works, conducted
by the Israel Antiques Authority, scheduled to go on for several months,
will still take place but at the same time the public discussion with the
planning committees will begin.

Over the past several days, Lupolianski held meetings and discussions with
various representatives from eastern Jerusalem, together with Rabbi
Rabinowitz, and Lupolianski assured them that he will allow open discussion
with full disclosure in order to make it clear that there is no intention to
enter the Temple Mount or cause any damage to it.

Gideon Schmerling
Jerusalem Municipality Spokesman