News
Mixed Israeli responses to plans for construction in settlement blocs
Israel’s Housing Minister, Jewish Home MK Uri Ariel yesterday announced tenders for the construction of almost 1,200 new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Israeli media reports suggest that the announcement was made with the full knowledge of the United States, just three days ahead of the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ariel announced that 793 new homes are slated for construction in the East Jerusalem neighbourhoods of Gilo, Har Homa and Pisgat Ze’ev while 394 new constructions are planned for Ariel, Ma’eleh Adumim, Efrat and Beitar Illit, which are considered part of major settlement blocs. Despite Palestinian opposition to the announcement, Israel’s Prime Minister’s spokesman Mark Regev yesterday explained that “The construction decided upon today in Jerusalem and in the settlement blocs are in areas that will remain part of Israel in any possible future peace agreement… This in no way changes the final map of peace. It changes nothing.”
Minister Ariel commented, “The Israeli government is working to reduce the cost of living in all parts of Israel… No country received orders about where it can and cannot build from other countries.” However, Finance Minister and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid criticised the move, calling it a “double mistake,” explaining “the use of resources meant to provide housing for the middle class to needlessly defy the Americans will impede the peace process.” Leader of the Opposition and Labour Party head Shelly Yachimovich added her disapproval, saying that the announcement will damage “the seeds of international recognition and support that we have garnered for the renewed peace talks.”
It is thought that yesterday’s announcement will help provide political cover for coalition partners such as Jewish Home to temper opposition towards concessions which could be made during peace talks. It came as a ministerial committee yesterday approved the first group of Palestinian prisoners to be released, after Israel’s cabinet voted in favour of releasing 104 prisoners in order to pave the way for talks to begin.