Muslim Plans for Jerusalem Site Anger Israelis

Muslim authorities angered Israelis on Wednesday with plans to open a new underground prayer hall at Al Aqsa mosque, on the site revered by Jews as Temple Mount and beside the Israeli tunnel project that set off rioting last month.

Hassan Tahboub, the Palestinian minister of Islamic affairs, said the hall would open in two days.

Tahboub refused to comment Wednesday on the timing, saying only that the hall was not Israel’s “responsibility or property.”

The area around Al Aqsa mosque is considered holy by Jews and Muslims, and last month’s rioting was touched off in part by Muslim fears that Israeli work might undermine Muslim sites. At least 75 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in the riots.

The previous Israeli government gave permission in January for the chamber to be used for prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and during rainy periods when worshipers cannot pray in the courtyard of Al Aqsa. But Israel did not authorize the Muslims to use it on a permanent basis.

Right-wing Israelis called for the renovated prayer hall to remain closed, saying it violates the delicate status quo over the site and that renovations might damage it.

Meanwhile, Israelis and Palestinians failed in talks Wednesday to reach agreement on thorny issues, but Israel’s chief negotiator said at least mutual accusations were set aside. And an Israeli human rights group said Wednesday that Israeli police used live fire and excessive force to disperse Muslim worshipers during clashes last month at the Al Aqsa mosque compound.