ABSTRACT
The Ha-Liba Building is a large structure currently being built for the Western Wall Heritage Foundation in the northwestern part of the Western Wall Plaza. The IAA ignored common procedures by promising in advance that it will not object to the construction. The IAA made a proper salvage excavation, documenting many remains including the Roman period eastern Cardo (street). Yet, on the way to the Cardo, most of the remains of the Islamic periods were dismantled, including a 17th century AD Sheikh Tomb in a Madrasa (school) building that originated from the 13th century AD. Objections to the plans called to keep the Cardo open, so future visitors could walk on the same stones. The considerable funds received from the entrepreneur for excavation and preservation placed the IAA in a conflict of interests. Instead of acting to preserve the Cardo free of construction and open to the sky, the IAA was drawn into a series of embarrassing performances in the Construction Committee, supporting a maximal building plan. The IAA representative, Dr. Yuval Baruch, expressed the conviction that there is only one scientific truth, but reaching it requires a lot of funds for excavation, implying what really interested the IAA management.
