New Construction Total Comes to 3,500 Units

Israeli officials say Americans, Palestinians knew in advance

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered officials to press ahead with plans to build 3,500 more Jewish homes, 2,000 more than had been announced early Wednesday, hours after the release of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists.

The Interior Ministry had announced 1,500 for Ramat Shlomo in east Yerushalayim; the others, still in the planning stages, would be designated for parts of Yehudah and Shomron.

Notwithstanding vociferous complaints from the Palestinians and condemnations from the U.S. State Department and U.N. chief Ban Ki Moon, Israeli officials insisted that American and Palestinian officials knew of the construction plans before the prisoner release.

While they did not know all the details, they had been notified of Israeli intentions as well as the timing, an official said.

The Palestinian Authority announced Thursday that it was “seriously studying” filing complaints against Israel with international courts and forums in a bid to block the construction, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Ophir Akunis, the Likud deputy minister for liaison with the Knesset, disclosed details of the building plans on Wednesday.

According to Akunis, Netanyahu gave the nod to begin construction of hundreds of units in Yerushalayim, Karnei Shomron, Ariel, Givat Zeev, Maaleh Adumim, Elkana, Beitar Illit and Adam.

In addition, Netanyahu approved plans for a national park area east of Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus between the neighborhoods of Isawiya and E-Tur, as well as a tourism and archeological center opposite the entrance of the City of Dovid in Silwan.

Government officials noted that all the plans in question were within the large Jewish population blocs that most agree will be retained by Israel in any peace deal.

Akunis also announced preliminary plans to build another 2,000 units outside the blocs, in Shiloh, Alei Zahav, Yakir, Mehola, Talmon, Har Bracha, Ofra, Kfar Adumim and Beit El.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the November 1st, 2013 edition of Hamodia.