Mughrabi Bridge

Until 2004 an earthen ramp allowed non-Muslim visitors direct access to the Temple Mount through the Mughrabi Gate.

In order to build a permanent bridge, the remains of the old ramp and the earth under it had to be excavated, which resulted in accusations by the Waqf that Israel was trying to destabilise the Temple Mount and collapse the Dome of the Rock – 400 metres (1,300 ft) from the location of the ramp – which in turn resulted in international criticism, violent protests and calls for a third Intifada.

[4] As a result, the bridge was still standing at the end of 2011, when the city engineer of Jerusalem issued an order to close the structure because it was not safe.

[5] This secondary bridge became controversial, and at the wishes of the Jordanian government, work was halted and what had been built was torn down.

The bridge and excavation of the historic ramp leading up to the gate have been a point of contention contributing to the hostility of the Arab–Israeli conflict.