 Digging an alternative exit from the tunnel was proposed, but initially rejected on the grounds that any exit would be seen as an attempt by the Jewish authorities to stake a claim to ownership of the nearby land — part of the Muslim Quarter of the city.In 1996, however, Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the creation of an exit leading to the "Via Dolorosa", underneath the Ummariya madrasah.Over the subsequent few weeks, 80 people were killed as a result of riots against the creation of the exit.