MK Ben Ari: A victorious response
צילום: גיל יוחנן
Ceremony held for expansion of east Jerusalem neighborhood
'There is a response here to Raed Salah's gang,' says Nationa Union MK Ben Ari while attending cornerstone event at Nof Zion
A cornerstone ceremony was held Wednesday for the second part of east Jerusalem's Nof Zion neighborhood. Construction plans for the area, located next to the Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, include 105 housing units.
As part of the celebration a Torah was placed in the neighborhood's temporary synagogue. "There is a victorious response here to Raed Salah's gang," said Knesset Member Michael Ben Ari (National Union), who took part in the festivities.
"They are not actually fighting for the Temple Mount; it is just their leverage for the release of all of Jerusalem from Jewish occupation."
Ben Ari added, "What's happening here is our actual response – boys and girls who will play in the parks. Not just words, like those of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but action."
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) was also present at the ceremony. "This is one tune you cannot stop – Zionism," he told Ynet. "It is joyous."
"Everything is positive here," he said. "The placing of a Torah is a positive thing, and there will be many families here in this neighborhood. Jerusalem will only get stronger."
Festive ceremony includes new Torah (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Jerusalem City Council member Elisha Peleg of the Likud said, "The extension of this neighborhood is a direct continuation of the Jewish presence in the eastern city. Only by actively building can we strengthen our sovereignty in all of Jerusalem and guarantee that it will remain united and under Jewish rule."
On Tuesday night the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court released head of the Islamic Movement's northern branch Sheikh Raed Salah, just hours after his arrest for incitement, but issued an injunction prohibiting him from entering Jerusalem for 30 days.
The sheikh was arrested earlier Tuesday for incitement following statements made in recent days during the clashes at the Temple Mount in the capital. His arrest was decided on following consultations between Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen, the state prosecutor, and Jerusalem District Police Commander Aharon Franco.
