Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Bayit Yehudi party leader Naftali Bennett are calling on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to permit construction in all areas of Jerusalem. Their statements were in response to the national government giving the green light for additional construction in Givat HaMatos, construction for the Arab sector exclusively.

Bennett warns that permitting Arabs to build in that neighborhood without accompanying Jewish construction in Talpiot and Gilo will result in a divide between the two Jewish neighborhoods.

Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze’ev Elkin, a member of the Land of Israel caucus feels the announcement by the Prime Minister is a “cynical political move”, explaining he is compelled to permit the construction due to a High Court decision but he is trying to earn political points announcing it as if it is his decision.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)