It is obvious that State Prosecutor Moshe Lador is not just interested in enforcing the law, but he has placed the sealing of Beit Yehonatan in the Shiloach area of the capital atop of his list of priorities. In a letter sent to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Lador states that efforts by Interior Minister Eli Yishai to retroactively certify the 7-story structure are simply not acceptable and the ministry’s district planning board cannot do so. Lador wants the High Court rulings to seal the building implemented immediately.

Lador calls on the mayor to immediately comply with the High Court of Justice rulings and seal the illegal building. Lador promises that after the city complies with this ruling, his office will begin taking action regarding illegal structures in the capital in the Arab sector.

Minister Yishai is trying to persuade the residents of the seven-story structure to evacuate the top three floors voluntarily, which would be sealed for now, and then retroactively certify the bottom four stories. Lador seems determined to make certain the minister is not successful in his goal.

Seeking to get Lador to back down, Barkat has threatened that if compelled to seal Beit Yehonatan, he will exhibit an equal measure of administrative authority and carry out demolition orders against dozens of illegal Arab structures in the eastern capital. 

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)