Apparently it has in Jerusalem, where Israel is planning to build an elevator to the Western Wall:
Israel is planning to construct an elevator leading to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, Israeli media reported Monday.
The project will be proposed to planning committees that will make a final decision on the 56-meter structure, the Israeli daily Ma'ariv reported Tuesday.
The elevator is to be named after US businessman Baruch Klein, who will fund the $10 million project, Ma'ariv reported.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation says the plans are a threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is adjacent to the Western Wall.
The area is considered the third holiest in Islam and holiest in Judaism.
In a statement, the foundation said the project intended to divide the mosque and prevent worshipers from reaching it, citing the plan as an attempt by Israeli forces to increase the presence of Jews in the area.
The statement warned that the square in front of the wall could be used as a base to attack the compound.[emphasis added]
Dr. Aaron Lermer of IMRA notes what the elevator itself is all about:
An elevator to provide handicapped access to the Western Wall from the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is opposed by the Palestinians because it somehow threatens the Al-Aqsa Mosque to build an elevator in the Jewish Quarter next to the Aish Hatorah Yeshiva. That's not adjacent to theSo there really is not need to build something controversial like a gay bar--just go ahead and build an elevator, because we all know how controversial and intimidating those can be.
Al-Aqsa Mosque - its way on the other side of the plaza.
So if the Arabs have a problem with building an elevator for handicapped access in the Jewish Quarter...
UPDATE: Dave Bender writes about this too--and has a nice panoramic shot of why what he calls the 'Kotelevator' is needed.
Technorati Tag: Western Wall and Al-Aqsa Mosque and Ground Zero Mosque.
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