BICOM

According to Ynetnews, Four extensive construction plans in Jewish neighbourhoods located beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem have been removed from the agenda of the District Planning and Construction Committee following the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s direct intervention. The postponed projects include the plan for the construction of 942 housing units in the Gilo neighbourhood, which was approved by a Jerusalem Municipality committee only last week. The move caused anger in the United States during President Shimon Peres’ visit, including a State Department statement expressing “deep concern” over the new plan.

The other plans that will not be included in the District Committee’s agenda in the near future are the construction of 980 housing units in the Har Homa neighbourhood, 625 units in Pisgat Ze’ev and 180 in Ramot.

The Middle East Quartet is scheduled to meet on 15 April, a day after the committee was slated to discuss and approve the building plans. The approval of the plans would likely influence the tone and focus of the Quartet meeting, and most likely lead to a statement strongly condemning the move.