From Al Jazeera: Israeli dig sparks protests

Israeli excavation work near a compound in Jerusalem that houses al-Aqsa mosque has sparked protests by Palestinians and condemnation from the Jordanian king.

King Abdullah says the dig is a “flagrant violation” of a 1994 peace treaty which recognises Jordan’s “historic role” in overseeing maintenance at Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

Israeli assurances that the dig would not harm Islam’s third holiest site did little to stifle the anger as 11 Palestinians were arrested and crowds threw stones at Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem.

Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister, said Israel was out to cause “direct harm” to al-Aqsa.

He said: “I appeal to all our Palestinian people to be united and to rise up together to protect al-Aqsa and the holy sites on the blessed land of Palestine.”

…

Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, said: “The activities being carried out do not harm … and will not harm any of the holy places.”

She accused Israel’s enemies of exploiting “every opportunity to stir the most radical emotions”…

Uh, yeah, like digging near the mosque wouldn’t do that.

Where exactly do Israelis think they live? I think that they imagine they are in some remote mountaintop country or on the moon, completely separated from their neighbors, by millions of miles. That’s about the only thing that could excuse this type of behavior.

Lord have mercy on us all. Lord, draw all men unto Thee.