Jerusalem city attorney Yossi Chavilov and city engineer Shlomo Eshkol appear to be working to halt the Holyland project, which is at the heart of what many are calling the largest bribery/fraud investigation in the nation’s history. The two are recommending the planning board not to renew permits permitting the continuation of the controversial project until the investigation surrounding alleged bribery and fraud is completed.

Chavilov is resting his opinion on legalities, that the building has exceeded the permitted number of units – exceeding the permits granted to the project. He explains the permits to continue digging granted in January are conditional on compliance with the plan that was approved. One of the persons promoting the project indicated on Tuesday he plans to request a permit to add dwelling units to the complex, turning to Eshkol’s office.

The two maintain that the decision to grant renewed permits was not made with a clear picture of the project expansion, void of some of the relevant information in the case that would have had a bearing on the decision-makers.

Chavilov is now demanding a detailed report from the project promoters, providing information such as the exact number of units constructed in each tower, the percentage of each tower’s area space that was actually used for residential units. Until he has all the exact information, Chavilov recommends halting continued work on the project due to the realities surrounding Holyland today.

One person who anticipated such a move is supermarket entrepreneur Rami Levy, who purchased land in the project in anticipation of turning a respectable profit. He has already turned the Jerusalem District Court to seek assurances that his investment is protected since he received future construction guarantees based on permits and he is in no way linked to the allege illegal activities. As was reported by YWN-Israel Levy believes investors may not be held hostage by the ongoing police investigation since the legal transaction was based on permits already granted.

Three additional 16-story buildings are planned, as well as a 19-story hotel in the southern area of the complex. Two of the buildings will be 17 stories and two 11.

Jerusalem City Hall officials indicated recently that not all the permits have been issued for those buildings. Levy and his partner purchased the land a number of months ago after the owner filed bankruptcy.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)