In 2006, excavations by the Israeli Antiquities Authority near the Al-Aqsa mosque sparked protests by Palestinians, as well as Muslims worldwide. Israeli officials say the digging near the mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem is necessary to rebuild and strengthen an access ramp to Dung Gate, while certain Islamic authorities charge that Israel is undermining the foundations of the Al-Aqsa mosque. See Alon, Gideon, Jonathan Lis, Yoav Stern and Jack Khoury. “Olmert: Muslim opposition won’t deter Jerusalem excavation.” Haaretz. 13 February 2007. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/824325.html; and “Work starts near Jerusalem shrine.” BBC. 6 February 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6334307.stm.  http://www.justvision.org/glossary/dung-gate-excavations