Israel delays controversial construction project

JERUSALEM — Construction work on a walkway leading to Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock Mosque has been postponed after Muslim protests escalated into riots in early February. The office of Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski said archeological excavation at the site would continue. The project was intended to replace a wooden walkway between Jerusalem’s Western Wall and the mosque complex, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, according to Voice of America. Muslims are concerned the work could destabilize the foundations of the holy site.

The mayor’s office said discussions would be held with interested parties, but right-wing members of Israel’s parliament said the decision amounted to surrendering Israeli sovereignty over east Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.