In addition to reports the new Tel Aviv-Jerusalem train route will be extended to the Kosel, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz announced plans to extend the Jerusalem light rail in a number of directions including to Maale Adumim via French Hill; to Yishuv Adam at the gateway to the Shomron; from Atarot to Kalandia and to Givat Ze’ev. This is most significant as all four of these lines cross from so-called “Israel proper” over the Green Line into areas viewed as “Israeli occupied” by the international community.

Katz explains this is all part of his vision for a “Greater Jerusalem” which will extend to Gush Etzion, the Binyamin council of the Shomron, Beit Shemesh, and Mevassert Tzion.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)