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Photo: Reuters
Maalah Adumim - The plan is in advanced stages
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Sharon openly supports the plan
Photo: Reuters

West Bank construction plan OK'd

Thousands of residential units to be built; new construction to interfere with contiguity of future Palestinian state

JERUSALEM - Israel plans to build thousands of new homes in a bid to link the West Bank city of Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem, Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper reported Monday.

 

The scheme, orchestrated by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, comes ahead of what is seen as the process of establishing Israel’s future borders. According to the report, Sharon approved the construction of 3,500 new homes last week.

 

The plan is currently in advanced stages of planning and has been handed over to the Environment Ministry for surveying. The ministry has already reviewed the plan and has passed it to the Housing Ministry for further assessment, Environment Minister Shalom Simhon says.

 

A Palestinian state?

 

The ambitious project is expected to be built gradually, starting with 1,250 houses, followed by another 2,250 homes, and a final batch of 150 houses and old-age home for pensioners.

 

While the plan would connect Jerusalem to the more isolated community of Maaleh Adumim, it would also undermine the possibility of Palestinian territorial contiguity in the region.

 

However, a government source said Sharon has also ordered the building of a road that would bypass the area and link Palestinian cities to the north and south of Jerusalem, namely Ramallah and Bethlehem.

 

"The prime minister is thinking ahead, to giving the Palestinians territorial contiguity," the source said.

 

'Americans won't be angry'

 

The Palestinians warn, however, peace efforts may be compromised by the plan.

 

"By expanding settlements in the West Bank, Israel gives the impression that it intends to exchange Gaza for a 'Greater Israel'," Palestinian Planning Minister Ghassan al-Khatib said. "Israel is responsible for any consequences resulting from this continuous violation of the road map, I don't think the Palestinian leadership and people can tolerate this."

 

Meanwhile, Maaleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel told Ynet the government has known about the plan for years.

 

"I'm happy the defense minister signed the plan and I hope the Housing Ministry will start acting to boost the route between Maaleh Adumim and Jerusalem," he said.

 

When asked whether the U.S. may oppose the plan, Kashriel said Maaleh Adumim's existence enjoys a national consensus.

 

"More than 32,000 people live in Maaleh Adumim," he said. "I don't think the Americans need to be angry."

 

However, Knesset member Chaim Oron (Yahad) said he believes the plan reinforces perceptions that steps are being undertaken to split the West Bank into two under the guise of the disengagement plan.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.21.05, 13:49
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