The Jerusalem Planning Board has approved 200 housing units in Ramat, which the international community views as being over the Green Line. The board approved building to expand Ramot, using private land. During the session the committee also approved construction for the Arab sector of the capital. The US State Department has already expressed concern. The State Department feels the approval of additional homes in Ramot undermines peace-making efforts with the PA (Palestinian Authority). State Department officials insist that relations between Washington and Jerusalem are solid and that Secretary Kerry and Prime Minister Netanyahu speak every two days.

US Secretary of State John Kerry landed in the region on Wednesday 19 Marcheshvan. He landed in Amman to meet with King Abdullah to discuss concerns surrounding Har Habayis.

Officials in Jerusalem point out that Kerry and his State Department seem to be okay with a racist policy that only objects to construction for Jews while it accepts approval for continued building in the Arab sector. Jerusalem City Hall officials state Ramot is an integral portion of Jerusalem and there is absolutely no reason to continue building in that community.

Photo: Secretary Kerry meeting with PA Chairman Abu Mazen in Amman.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo: US Embassy, Tel Aviv)