NEW MUGHRABI GATE RAMP ROUTE STILL UNDEFINED

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001570

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2017
TAGS: KWBG PBTS IS KISL KIRF
SUBJECT: NEW MUGHRABI GATE RAMP ROUTE STILL UNDEFINED

REF: A. TEL AVIV 2236

B. PARIS 2484

C. JERUSALEM 575

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Ir Amim founder Danny Seidemann told ConGen
and Embassy PolOffs July 23-24 that Mughrabi Gate ramp plans
are far from settled, contrary to Israel press reports
claiming a new design has been adopted. Seidemann commented
that PM Olmert is under pressure from religious-nationalist
groups to approve a new ramp in spite of Israel's commitment
to allow public scrutiny in the decision-making process.
Seidemann warned that a change in the ramp route could spark
more conflict in Jerusalem's Old City, and raised questions
about the legality of excavations near the ramp. End summary.

SEIDEMANN: MUGHRABI RAMP ROUTE UNDECIDED
--------------


2. (C) Ir Amim founder Danny Seidemann told ConGen and
Embassy PolOffs on July 23-24 that the route/design of the
new ramp leading to Mughrabi Gate is not finalized, despite
an article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz stating that a
Jerusalem panel had approved new ramp plans. Seidemann said
discussion of the ramp's route is ongoing and various plans
have been floated. He said presently there is no process of
public comment or review or coordination with Islamic Waqf
officials to ensure that Muslim concerns about the new ramp
are addressed. He said most plans under consideration depict
a ramp significantly longer than the existing earthen ramp.

RAMP ROUTE ULTIMATELY OLMERT'S DECISION
--------------


3. (C) Seidemann said the final decision on the ramp's route
is up to Israeli PM Olmert. He commented that Olmert is
under pressure from Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, Western
Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and religious-nationalist
elements to skip public review and approve ramp blueprints by
the end of July. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is
opposed to this approach, Seidemann said, because it could
violate Israel's commitment to UNESCO to work with Jordanian
and Waqf officials on the ramp's route. Seidemann said he
hopes Jordan will contribute to final ramp plans.

RAMP ROUTE POTENTIAL FLASHPOINT IN CONFLICT
--------------


4. (C) Noting the Mughrabi Gate ramp's potential as a
flashpoint between Jews and Muslims, Seidemann said a new
ramp should follow the pre-2004 route as closely as possible
to avoid conflict. (Note: Ramp plans published in Israeli
and Palestinian press show a ramp much larger than the
existing temporary one. End note). He said he has heard
plans to elevate the ramp and use the area underneath it to
expand the Western Wall plaza, and said any change to the
status quo could ignite Muslim/Jewish tensions. Seidemann
said conflicting press reports in the past two weeks
concerning the ramp area resulted from an information
campaign by right wing Israeli groups to stir up controversy
on the issue.


5. (C) Seidemann also questioned the legality of the
archaeological excavations at the ramp site, saying that
Israeli law requires approval of construction plans before a
salvage dig can occur. The new Mughrabi Gate ramp plans have
not been approved, he said, so the excavations should not be
underway.


EXCAVATIONS CEASE PENDING
FINAL RAMP DECISION
--------------


6. (C) ConGen PolOff visited the Mughrabi Gate area on July
23 and observed that excavations had ceased, consistent with
press reports that all work is on hold pending a final
decision on the ramp's route.


7. (C) Post will continue to work with Embassy Tel Aviv to
reconcile different versions of what is happening on this
issue (reftel).
WALLES