Har Homa construction
Photo: AP
60 acres may be added to Har Homa
Jerusalem committee to discuss approval of new construction in eastern neighborhood
Jerusalem Municipality's local planning and construction committee will discuss a plan next week for the addition of 60 acres to the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa,
Controversial Moves
Ronen Medzini
Decision comes on eve of Ashton's visit to Israel, PA. Meretz faction says decision proves municipality has 'no faith in peace process'; Likud councilman says past construction delays were unjustified
Har Homa is a point of contention between Israel and the Palestinians in negotiations over a future state. It was founded in 1997 and built despite international opposition stemming from its location between Arab neighborhoods and Bethlehem.
The new construction plans up for approval call for 50 additional homes as well as a number of public structures, including eight synagogues, a kindergarten, a school for disabled children, a day care center, and a pool.
Despite opposition, the plans are expected to be approved. "We must commend the promotion of these plans," a member of the committee and the chairman of the municipality's Likud faction.
"The plan for the expansion of Har Homa has been delayed for a long time without justification, and I hope that this is an auspicious sign signifying that the freeze in construction in Jerusalem's new neighborhoods has ended."
Peleg added that there is still a "huge shortage" of apartments and building permits in these neighborhoods.
But the plans are already meeting with plenty of opposition. "In recent months the planning authorities in Jerusalem have let loose and fiercely promoted construction of hundreds of new apartments in east Jerusalem, a serious violation of the status-quo," the Ir Amim organization said in a statement.
"It is intolerable that technocratic planning authorities are allowed to decide Jerusalem's fate and to a certain extent that of Israel as well by determining facts on the ground."
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