Quote: "The excavation is taking place alongside a salvage dig in the nearby archeological park, in one of the most sensitive spots in Israel: at the foot of the southwest corner of a wall in the Temple Mount compound. The excavation was criticized by Israeli politicians and Muslim leaders, including the king of Jordan. MK Talab al-Sana (United Arab List-Ta'al) said the dig could lead to the outbreak of a third intifada. "The Israeli government is once again provoking the Muslim world and the Palestinian people, and is not sparing any effort to kindle the region by irresponsible adventures and decisions," he said. 

King Abdullah II of Jordan, who's country still governs the Temple Mount with permission of Israel, has expressed concern that the excavation work could derail the peace process. Yes, forget the recent suicide bombing in Eilat which killed three people, the dozens of rockets which have been launched against Israeli towns by Hamas, the dozens of Palestinians killed in fighting by their own people in recent weeks, Israel will get the blame if anything goes wrong.

Quote: "Israel says the project is needed to replace a centuries-old earthen ramp that partially collapsed in a snowstorm three years ago. Its assurances that the work would cause no harm to Islam's holy sites did little to soothe tensions. Abdullah called the Israeli dig "a threat to the foundations of the al-Aksa mosque," according to a statement from the royal palace.

Palestinians began the second intifada shortly after former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount. But it is believed that the uprising was planned in advance of the visit, and the Palestinians used it as an excuse to incite the violence. Terrorist organizations where I live used that tactic all the time. They used to build firebombs and store them in nearby houses, and when they had an excuse to attack the police or the other side, out they would come. It was the same with the riots in England not so long ago. You just can't manufacture a riot without a lot of planning.

Source Haaretz, Jerusalem Post, Jewish Virtual Library