Muslims consider the Western Wall part of the Noble Sanctuary, an esplanade that includes Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel annexed the Old City site along with all of East Jerusalem, a move that was never recognized by the international community. “Today’s meeting in occupied East Jerusalem is an attempt by the Israeli government to normalize occupation, oppression and colonization over the land and people of Palestine,’’ Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement. Netanyahu pledged Sunday to plow more resources into developing the area around Jerusalem’s Old City and to build a cable car to improve access to the Western Wall. “Netanyahu is trying to respond to pressure from the religious right, which is asking, ‘Fifty years after capturing Jerusalem, what’s next?’'' he said.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 29, 2017 01:52 UTC