The Jerusalem District Planning Committee has approved an additional 1,100 housing units for Jerusalem’s southern neighborhood of Gilo. The plan does not just include housing units, but public buildings, a new school and industrial zone.
The Gilo neighborhood is home to over 40,000 residents of the capital, constructed on an area liberated during the June 1967 Six Day War, hence referred to by the United States as occupied.
The announcement of the approval for the badly-needed housing units was met with anger by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who accuses Israel is doing its utmost to destroy any chance of returning to the negotiating table with the PA.
Right-wing politicians praised the move and the left-wing accused the prime minister of sabotaging any chance of peace with the PA and continuing to implement policies that will further isolate Israel in the international political community.
The European Union released a message condemning Israel’s decision.
“We are deeply disappointed by this morning’s announcement by the government of Israel,” US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
They’re all a bunch of frauds. If they wanted to build houses in their neighborhoods and cities, it would be no problem. Has Abbas sat down with Israel since the last time they put a freeze on buildings? NO! But they have to criticize. Good for Israel! Do what you have to do and fief zei uhn!
To quote our own female Secretary of State, “This is a provocation to the Arab World”. A community with over 40,000 residents is a ‘settlement’?, kol hakavod to the Israeli government for finally giving a green light to more housing in Jerusalem.
Kol Hakovod to Bibi and the Planning committee! The negotiations were ended with that Palestinians refused to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish State or Israel’s right to exist. There is no negotiation until that happens.
As far as provocation is concerned, it is the missile strikes and the request to the UN to recognize them that provokes discord.