The Jerusalem Planning Committee on Monday voted to freeze construction on the Jerusalem Holyland project for 100 days as police continue their investigation into what appears to be the largest fraud/bribery case in the nation’s history. Planning board officials indicate the pending digging requests from developers stray from standard zoning norms.

Attorney Rafi Ettinger, representing the project developers, insists the permits granted are legitimate and in compliance with regulations, questioning the board’s decision to probe the request in detail, warning he will take his case to the district planning board level if compelled to do so.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)