The head of the PLO's Jerusalem Department has said that the Israeli security forces don't realise the seriousness of destroying the historic Mughrabi Bridge in the Old City. Ahmed Qurei told the local media that giving the green light for the demolition of the bridge, which leads to Al-Aqsa Mosque, will have "long-term consequences". The demolition by the Western Wall Heritage Fund has been approved by the Israeli occupation authorities in Jerusalem.

This "aggressive" decision, said Qurei, is part of a series of daily Israeli violations in the Holy City which aim at the Judaisation of Jerusalem. "Israel is trying to change the cultural landmarks by removing the city's Arab and Muslim presence," he said. Ultimately, he added, the plan is to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque itself and build the so-called Third Temple in its place.

Although the Israelis say that after demolition the bridge will be rebuilt, Palestinian experts in Jerusalem affairs say that this is a smokescreen for Israel's Judaisation process. They claim that a bigger, stronger bridge will simply make it easier for Jewish settlers to get into the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa from the Western Wall.