H eadlines
ISRAELBRIEFS Bridge to Temple Mount in Danger of Collapse
THE MAKESHIFT WOODEN BRIDGE leading
from the Western Wall compound to the Temple
Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City is in danger of
collapsing, The Times of Israel reported.

The Mughrabi Bridge leading to the Mughrabi Gate
was built 15 years ago as a temporary replacement for
an earthen ramp, then in danger of collapsing.

Engineer Ofer Cohen wrote to the Western Wall
Heritage Foundation that, after examining the bridge,
he noticed the wood is “in a state of extreme dryness
and has many longitudinal cracks.” He called for the
bridge’s replacement.

But the Times said building in that area might
inflame tensions with both the Palestinians and
Jordan, who would consider it a provocation against
Muslims. The Temple Mount plaza houses the Al-Aqsa
Mosque, considered the third-holiest site in Islam.

Jordan and the Palestinian leadership don’t recognize
the site as holy to Jews, even though the first and
second Jewish Temples once stood there.

Hadassah near Jerusalem for several hours until
firefighters gained control over the fire. Residents
were allowed back into their homes later in the day.

Thirty-five firefighting teams and 10 firefighting
aircrafts worked to extinguish the blaze; there were
concerns that forecasted strong winds could spread
the fire further.

That same day, a large fire broke out in southern
Israel in a factory and warehouse near Be’er Tuvia,
The Jerusalem Post reported. The complex makes
and stores plastic goods. The fire was contained and
prevented from spreading to other facilities nearby.

Honduras Opens Jerusalem Embassy
Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández
announced on June 3 that the country will open an
embassy in Jerusalem after years of operating in Tel
Aviv, The Times of Israel reported.

Hernández said the move “will empower us on
the agricultural side, in the field of innovation and in
the field of tourism.” The nation already has opened
a commercial office in Jerusalem; that breaks its
long-held neutrality policy in the Israeli-Palestinian
Wildfire Breaks Out Near Jerusalem
A large wildfire broke out in Israel on June 4, The conflict.

Israel plans to open a diplomatic office in Honduras’
Times of Israel reported.

About 400 families were evacuated from Tzur capital city of Tegucigalpa. It opened a temporary
office there in August.

In February, Honduras, which had difficulty
in securing COVID-19 vaccines, obtained 5,000
Moderna shots that Israel donated.

IDF Breaks Up Smuggling Operation,
Hezbollah Involvement Suspected
Israel Defense Forces foiled a firearms and hashish
smuggling operation on June 2 and said the Hezbollah
terrorist organization might be involved, The Times
of Israel reported.

Security forces arrested an Arab Israeli father
and son from Jadeidi-Makr in northern Israel in
possession of 15 handguns, dozens of ammunition
magazines and 80 pounds of hashish. The IDF said
the contraband was worth about $616,000.

A solider operating a surveillance camera spotted
the smuggling attempt by the son, who was carrying
bags with the weapons and hashish. His father was
found in a nearby car.

The IDF said it believed at least some of the pistols
were meant for Hezbollah-orchestrated terrorist
attacks, but didn’t elaborate on how that conclusion
was reached. Hezbollah is known for funding itself
via drug sales. l
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
“I love it here!
I couldn’t have made
a better choice.”
–Beverly B., a community resident
At Ann’s Choice and Maris Grove, you’re free to live the
independent life you want with an added safety net of
support. We’re the premier senior living communities in
Bucks County and the Brandywine Valley!
• Go freely about your life and pursue the activities
you love on our green and spacious campuses.

Call 1-800-989-3958
or visit SeniorLivingPA.com
to order your free
community brochure.

14609221-JE • Be part of a connected community filled with friends,
neighbors, and a dedicated staff.

• Gain time and freedom from the hassle and expense
of house repairs.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
JUNE 10, 2021
13