Approval has been given for the construction of 58 new apartments in Pisgat Ze’ev East, a neighborhood in the northern capital viewed by the PA (Palestinian Authority) and international community as “occupied East Jerusalem”. Undoubtedly the approval will ruffle feathers at the negotiating table between Israel and the PA, as well as eliciting condemnatory messages from the international community.

The two projects were approved by the Jerusalem Planning Board in a 4-1 vote, opposed by the Meretz representative on the building committee. The first project calls for constructing five apartment buildings, each five stories. Three of the buildings will contain 10 apartments each and two will contain 5 apartments each for a total of 40 units. The second project involves building three buildings that will include a total of 18 units.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)