New east Jerusalem construction plan gets go-ahead

The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee approved on Sunday a plan to build 500 housing units in Ramat Shlomo, an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem located across the Green Line (the pre-1967 armistice line). The move was the first step in a long series of approvals needed before actual construction can begin and the process should take years.

The original plan envisioned the construction of 640 housing units, but that number was reduced to minimize damage to natural areas.

The approval drew quick condemnation from the U.S. government.

"It is unfortunate that after the unequivocal and unanimous position last week of the international community opposing construction in Jerusalem at this sensitive time, authorities chose to move forward," said Edgar Vasquez, a spokesman for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department. "We continue to engage at the highest levels with the Israeli government to make our position absolutely clear that we view settlement activity as illegitimate and unequivocally oppose unilateral steps that prejudge the future of Jerusalem."

In an interview with Israel Hayom, President Reuven Rivlin said, "I'm in favor of building in Jerusalem and populating it openly, not with sly moves of one sort or another. Neighborhoods of Jerusalem have been built by all Israeli governments, in the face of large American protest. Jerusalem and its neighborhoods are not subject to debate. The world does not understand that Ramat Shlomo is in the center of Jerusalem and the provocateurs are in fact those who do not want to see the unity of the city. Jerusalem will not be divided again."

On the other hand, Peace Now director Yariv Oppenheimer said, "The approval adds more fuel to the diplomatic fire and the crisis between Israel and the U.S."