Olmert rejects appeal to stop Jerusalem excavation

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected an appeal by his defense minister to halt excavation work near Jerusalem’s most important holy site, the Haaretz daily newspaper reported on Thursday.

The work has angered Palestinians.

“A thorough examination of the matter would reveal that nothing about the work under way will harm anyone, and there is no truth in the contentions against the work,” the newspaper quoted Olmert’s office as saying.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz had made a written appeal to Olmert.