I like the idea form some commentators that because irresponsible digging by waqf authorities may have damaged the al-aqsa site, therefore right-wing settler groups can't be up to similar vandalism. If you scratch below the surface the whole of Jerusalem is one huge archeological site - if this report is accurate, how much archeological material has been lost? And what about structual damage to buildings on top?

Compare:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article603894.ece
"For the past 40 years the 75-year-old eccentric retired electrical engineer has been tunnelling under his derelict home

...Council engineers told Thames Magistrates’ Court last week that Mr Lyttle’s tunnels could extend as much as 60ft (18m) beyond his basement, burrowing under the adjoining road and raising the possibility that a fully laden double- decker bus could, at a moment’s notice, be swallowed up by his subterranean workings...

Richard, London,

This article is a bizarre inversion of what is actually happening. The Islamic authorities have been digging into the Temple Mount to eradicate archaeological evidence of Jewish history. It's part of the repeated Palestinian attempts to deny reality - Arafat also tried to deny the existence of the Jewish Temple as an excuse to break off negotiations at Camp David.
Islamic absolutism, in its numerous manifestations, is what is threatening the peace, not some "Elders of Zion" allegations against Jews.

Robin, London,

I think the pro-Zionists stating that the Muslims build the Mosque on top of the Temple are talking rubbish.

The Mosques was built on abandoned ruins that the Jews had not rebuilt.

Now can we ask these pro-Zionists supporters here why these settlers want to destory the Mosque?

It is a purely religous matter for these settlers.

is it a precondition of their messianic fantasy that they have to rebuild their Temple so that they may prepare for the arrival of their messiah?

Of course no mention of that here. Just the usual anti-muslim rants.

Ollie, Manchester, uk

The Al-Aqsa mosque was built for the sole purpose of stopping the Jewish people ever regaining their holiest temple site back as an act of triumphism in war and nothing else and they have held onto it by building that mosque on top of the old Jewish holy temple site ever since as a Muslim sign of that triumphism, they should execpt this as truth and hand that site back over to the Jewish people for history`s sake.

paddy conroy, newcastle upon tyne, england

I cant believe racist comments like Muslims will not cease until Israel are destroyed, are published without context, as if Muslims are born-murderers. Muslims never denied Jewish right of existence in the Holy Lands, but the Zionists have been targeting the destruction of Al-Aqsa and extermination of all non-Jewish inhabitants since the 6 day way. Al-Aqsa belongs to the Muslims and Muslims around the world will not be content until the Zionists cease dictatorial control from the occupied territories.

The spillover effect of Al-Aqsa Mosque occupation by Zionists has resulted in various wars and hundreds of thousands of deaths. It also puts all faithful believers of Islam to utter shame due to the absence of any united resistance to counter the arrogance and disrespect of the Zionists and their supporters.

The long series of Antisemitism accusation by the Zionists to those who are against the occupation only serves a fraction of continuous distortion of facts to justify the biblical right of return of the Jews to establish their Solomon temple (Haykal, which can’t be erected without first destroying the Al-Aqsa mosque, God forbid).

Muhammad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Those digging these tunnels are the same people who produced Yigal Amir, the carried out the targeted killing of Rabin, and still celbrate the deed. Not only should the Palestinians fear these people, but so should the Israelis. God is on their side, and they feel no moral qualms whatsoever restrict their actions.

George, Lutz, FL USA

In response to some of the replies. First let me say that Muslims are not blood thirsty. When Muslims protest or object to anything, it if for a very good reason. (1) iraq war, where USA and UK have killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims. (2) Afganistan, same again, crimes commited by USA,UK and there ill minded allies. (3) Palastine, where USA, UK, UN have created a illegal state right in the heart of Muslim land. These are just to name a few crimes commited where Muslims object....and they have all right to do so, bec innocent peoples lifes are taken by the Americans everyday.
Lets all come together, from what ever faith or background we are from, and stand up to oppresion.
America or UK should give Jews a home land, where they can live, and so the problem of Palastine is solved. It is a known fact that the illegal state of Isreal will not be there for ever, so why not save lifes, and let America or Uk give a small peace of there land to the jew.

Dave, Cardiff, UK

Jerusalem is unique because the battle of religions has been waged there for two centuries and probably many more to come. The Muslims, meanwhile, have been digging on temple mount and destroying archaeological evidence of Jewish history. One must also remember Al Aqsa sits on the site of a former Jewish temple, and that the site was obtained by military conquest.

michael clarke, london, uk

The temple mount might be a third holiest place for the muslems, but why do they pray with their asses back to it??? Sharon had the right to visit the mount under the agreement with the muslems. The muslem reaction only show how blood thirsty these people are. Muslems will not cease until Israel is destroyed. Israel is a sovereign territory and it has a right to do as it pleases. Israel has a right to exist and it should pursue and exterminate any individual who poses a threat to Israel's existence.

Dave, Moskwa,

Al-Aqsa mosque is a big-deal to the billion and half Muslems living on this Earth. It ranks as the third holiest Muslem site, after the Grand Mosque in Mecca (the one that contains the Ka'ba), and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina ( the one that contains his grave ),and then the Aqsa,from which,the Profit ascended to Heaven,according to a Soura (chapter) in the Holy Koraan. I can not imagine the Muslems' response,if they feel that the Aqsa is threatened, or is in danger of being destroyed.
The West was introduced to the Muslems' fervor and fury over the publication of those Mohamed's cartoons in Denmark,so you can let your thoughts wonder,what the mobs will do,if they perceive that al- Aqsa is in danger.
Remember that the second Intifada,started when Sharon toured the vicinity of the mosque,but this time it will not be a domestic confined Palestinian issue....

Sam, Dallas, USA

Let's hope none of these clods actually go ahead and blow up the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The rioting would make the Danish Cartoon riots look like a birthday party.

Brett, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Within the Israeli-Palestinian context, 'settlers' is a misnomer that really means illegal, and mostly armed, squatters. While eviction looks like a straightforward answer to the 'settlement' problem, it is unlikely to happen for some decades, not until the balance of power on the world stage shifts far enough to push them into such a deal.
A more palatable and reasonable option could be letting the Israeli squatters stay, provided they disarm and pay their taxes to the Palestinian Treasury. Clearly, their land and house titles will have to be reviewed and, if currently freehold, converted to leasehold with effect from 1967. Offered a steady stream of tax revenues and 40 years in back rent, Palestinians may well let them stay on Palestinian land as a captive cash cow for the local economy.

Anatoly, Moscow,

The first big conflict to rock the Oslo Agreements was a series of suicide bus bombings conducted by Hamas that killed and maimed hundreds of Jewish residents -- not the Hasmonean tunnel episode. Let's get our facts straight. Furthermore, the Islamic Authorities atop the Temple Mount have been digging and excavating underground for years now with absolutely no regard for Jewish historical sites and war graves lying underneath the al-Aqsa plaza. In fact, they are anxious to destroy any site or artifact that connects Zionism with history, as they deny any Jewish right to a homeland in Israel. Your conspiracy theories about right-wing Jewish groups running amok beneath the streets of the Old CIty are just that -- conspiracy theories and NOT NEWS.

Steve S, Los Angeles, USA