Cameras at Jerusalem holy site might prove too controversial
- 9 years ago
It seemed like a good idea on Saturday: installing surveillance cameras at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site in an attempt to end more than a month of deadly conflict between Jews and Muslims.
Secretary of State John Kerry said, "It could be a game-changer in discouraging anybody from disturbing the sanctity of the holy sites."
But like with many things related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the devil is in the details, and by Thursday it seemed unlikely that any cameras would go up at the contested esplanade, which Muslims refer to as the Noble Sanctuary and Jews as the Temple Mount.
"If I could wager $1,000 that the cameras will never happen, then I would," said Amiel Meitav, a former Old City coordinator for the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency.
Kerry said the suggestion for 24-hour video coverage came from Jordan's King Abdullah II, who is said to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
But Meitav said he was doubtful most Muslims would agree to such a step, which could be perceived as an infringement on religious privacy.
Secretary of State John Kerry said, "It could be a game-changer in discouraging anybody from disturbing the sanctity of the holy sites."
But like with many things related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the devil is in the details, and by Thursday it seemed unlikely that any cameras would go up at the contested esplanade, which Muslims refer to as the Noble Sanctuary and Jews as the Temple Mount.
"If I could wager $1,000 that the cameras will never happen, then I would," said Amiel Meitav, a former Old City coordinator for the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency.
Kerry said the suggestion for 24-hour video coverage came from Jordan's King Abdullah II, who is said to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
But Meitav said he was doubtful most Muslims would agree to such a step, which could be perceived as an infringement on religious privacy.