Committee for Acceleration of (EJ) Construction to Convene on June 14
Committee for Acceleration of (EJ) Construction to Convene on June 14 On March 8, 2011, the Israeli Cabinet approved a resolution instructing the Minister of Interior to establish sub-committees in the Regional Planning boards geared to fast-track residential construction schemes. For an English summary of the resolution, click here. On March 22, the Jerusalem Regional Planning Committee […]
Netanyahu Approves East Jerusalem Construction Hours Before Obama Address
Netanyahu Approves East Jerusalem Construction Hours Before Obama Address On May 19th, the same day that President Obama delivered a major foreign policy speech and the day before Obama met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Regional Planning Committee – acting with the knowledge and consent of Prime Minister Netanyahu – considered and approved two new […]
Barkat Trying to Force Netanyahu’s Hand on Mughrabi Ramp
Barkat Trying to Force Netanyahu’s Hand on Mughrabi Ramp In the aftermath of Obama’s May 19th speech, the awkward May 20th joint Obama-Netanyahu press briefing, and Obama’s May 22nd speech at AIPAC, it is clear that Netanyahu is trying to tamp down the impression that there is a crisis in U.S.-Israel relations. He is not getting any help from Jerusalem mayor […]
The Ramat Shlomo House Extension Plans
The Ramat Shlomo House Extension Plans On June 19, the Israeli Ministry of Interior announced the “approval” of plans that will allow for the construction of extensions in thousands of residential units in Ramat Shlomo in East Jerusalem. Here are the details. There are currently ten town plans – Plans No. 14000A- 14000I – before […]
The Non-Existent Court Decision on Bustan Demolitions
The Non-Existent Court Decision on Bustan Demolitions On May 11, it was widely reported in the Israeli and international press that the Jerusalem District Court had ruled that the demolition of 22 Palestinian homes in the Bustan area of Silwan, East Jerusalem, had been stayed, pending the completion of the statutory planning process by the […]
New East Jerusalem Settlements Update
New East Jerusalem Settlements Update Last week it was reported that, in advance of his upcoming U.S. visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu had ordered two major East Jerusalem settlement plans to be taken off the planning agenda. The reality is far more complicated a. The plans in question are TP 11647, for 625 units in Pisgat Zeev, and […]
US Supreme Court to Hear Jerusalem Status Case
US Supreme Court to Hear Jerusalem Status Case Last week the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case regarding the status of Jerusalem. The case hinges on a U.S. law passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush according to which the birthplace of American citizens born in Jerusalem […]
Is There a De Facto Settlement Freeze in East Jerusalem? The Facts
Is There a De Facto Settlement Freeze in East Jerusalem? The Facts On April 17, Israel Construction Minister Ariel Atias was widely quoted in the Israeli press, stating that Prime Minister Netanyahu, in deference to President Obama, had imposed a de facto freeze on Israeli settlement activity in East Jerusalem. For the report in Haaretz, click […]
Mount Scopus Slopes Park Approved for Public Review
Mount Scopus Slopes Park Approved for Public Review On March 5, the Regional Planning Committee decided to deposit Plan 11092A for public review. This plan would establish a National Park on the eastern slopes of Mount Scopus, beyond the Green Line, in a wadi nestled between the Palestinian neighborhoods of Issawiya and A Tur. Under routine […]
April Surge in East Jerusalem Construction Plans
April Surge in East Jerusalem Construction Plans In April, there has been an unprecedented surge in the approval processes of new town plans for Israeli construction in East Jerusalem. On April 4, the Mordot Gilo South Plan 13261 for the construction of 942 units was approved by the Jerusalem Municipality, and was immediately places on […]