Israel should immediately cease work on an access path to a holy site in Jerusalem, the United Nations said Wednesday.

The Israel Antiquities Authority wants to repair the walkway to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. A wooden bridge provides temporary access.
(Sebastian Scheiner/Associated Press)

Although the work does not threaten the site, the UN acknowledged, "Israel should at once stop excavations and consult on a final plan with Muslim religious authorities and other parties," a release said. It was based on a report by experts with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

However, the Israeli Antiquities Authorities said it has exclusive jurisdiction, and needs to control access to the site. Moreover, there have been no talks between Israeli authorities and the Muslim religious authority, the Islamic Waqf, since 2000.

Israel began in February to work on a new walkway up to the compound that includes holy sites sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

Known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary, the work is intended to replace an old earthen ramp that partially collapsed in a snowstorm three years ago.

The walkway is the only access point to the Haram al-Sharif under Israeli control, and is used by visitors, Israeli police and Jewish worshippers, the report said. Muslims are barred from that gate, but control all the other gates.

Israel said the work will cause no harm to Islam's holy site, which includes the Dome of the Rock shrine and the al-Aqsa mosque.

The UN agreed, saying "no work was being conducted inside the Haram al-Sharif area containing the mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, and excavations ended 10 metres from the Western Wall, considered a holy site by the Jews."

But after investigating at the request of the Waqf, the UN concluded the preliminary work Israel was doing was not necessary. It said the work involved picks and shovels on the surface of the pathway and on one side, where a retaining wall collapsed.  

Israel should choose a design to restore the pathway without major change in structure or shape, the UN said.

And work should stop until Israel settles on a restoration plan after talking with the Waqf and Jordan, which has a special role in the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

UNESCO wants to supervise the process, the UN said.

Angry Muslims protested the work in February. Several were arrested.