Shortly before departing for NYC where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu telephoned Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and asked him to hold off with meetings on approving sensitive building projects over the Green Line in his absence. The two agreed that such matters would await his return to Israel.

This includes the planned construction of hundreds of units in Gilo, which the United States and the international community viewed as “Israeli occupied Jerusalem”.

City officials announced the local planning board will not agree to any building freeze, adding there are delays at times which are not significant, perhaps a number of weeks until approval is forthcoming.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)