An Israeli government minister has visited the controversial excavations in occupied East Jerusalem in order to express his “solidarity” with illegal Jewish settlers. According to sources in Jerusalem, Silvan Shalom toured tunnels being dug by Israel under Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as other areas of occupied Jerusalem, including the Silwan district. It is in this area that Israel and the settlers are constructing the so-called “City of David” close to Wadi Helwa. The Minister’s tour covered a network of tunnels which destabilise Palestinian homes in the area and go to within a few metres of the historic walls of the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa.