Jerusalem Councilman Aryeh King told Kol Yehudi that he is opposed to City Hall’s plan for the expansion of the Arab al-Sawahra neighborhood that will help bridge the gaps in eastern Jerusalem. The plan includes building 2,200 housing units and additional public spaces for the Arab sector.

King is turning to dati leumi rabbonim, those who backed Mayor Nir Barkat to use their influence to halt the plan. He explains the mayor will bring the plan to a vote of the city council on Thursday 16 Elul and if approved, it will almost remove the last obstacle to the construction.

King believes the public can also influence City Hall, calling on talmidim to turn to their rabbonim to act on the matter. “Students of Ateret Yerushalayim can turn to Rabbi Shlomo Aviner and talmidei Merkaz HaRav can turn to Rabbi Yaakov Shapira and Rabbi Eitan Eiseman…

“These rabbonim backed Barkat and that can influence policy. I say this with a pained heart for the residents of the capital that voted for United Jerusalem are connected to these rabbonim”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)