JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel is to press ahead with excavation work near Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest shrine, but will open up to public discussion plans to build a pedestrian bridge there, officials said on Monday.

Even before they cast symbolic votes against the Iraq war, newly empowered congressional Democrats are clamoring for a chance to limit and eventually end US involvement in a conflict that has killed more than 3,000 troops.

The Palestinians have begun a diplomatic blitz aimed at persuading reticent leaders in the US and Europe to accept their new power-sharing deal and lift painful economic sanctions.