At a time when Palestinian violence against Israel has been increasing and Hamas is preparing to attack, Israel is once again drawing criticism for building homes. On Wednesday, the Jerusalem municipality authorized building permits for 558 new units in three East Jerusalem neighborhoods. 386 units are planned for Har Homa, 136 for Neve Yaakov, and 36 in Pisgat Zeev. Critics say the timing of the permits is inflammatory, as peace negotiations with the Palestinians are at a critical stage and the latter claim the land in question as their own.
Palestinian leaders were quick to voice their disapproval. Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi called the decision a “deliberate provocation of the Palestinians to drive them to leave the negotiations.
“Israel is not only capable of sabotaging the talks, but it is flagrantly destroying the chances of peace and stability throughout the region,” she said. “Israel is engaging in the deliberate provocation of the Palestinians to drive them to leave the negotiations in protest of Israeli violations, and therefore should be blamed for the destruction of the peace process.”
“The international community must hold Israel accountable for this policy,” said Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. “This proves that Israel prefers settlement over peace.”
Even within the municipal government itself, the decision was disputed, with Deputy Mayor Pepe Alalu (Meretz) declaring the approval of building permits a cynical attempt to undermine the final status arrangements.
Throughout the current peace negotiations, settlement construction plans have been announced and permits approved, repeatedly drawing the ire and condemnation of Palestinian and international leaders. However, despite threats, the announcements have not halted the negotiation process.
The U.S. State Department was quick to condemn the newly planned construction. “Our position on Jerusalem is clear,” said State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters at a daily briefing. “We oppose any unilateral actions by either party that attempt to prejudge final status issues, including the status of Jerusalem.
The construction is needed to support the natural growth of the communities in question. Back in 2009, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained his position: “I have no intention of building new settlements in the West Bank… But like all the governments there have been until now, I will have to meet the needs of natural growth in the population. I will not be able to choke the settlements.”
Now, the permits in question are being authorized as one of the final stages for construction plans that were initiated years ago by private contractors. The plans themselves were approved much earlier. The permits issued this week are the last authorization required to begin the actual building.
The municipality was quick to point out in a statement responding to Alalu that the building permits were not only for Jewish homes. Permits were also issued for construction in Arab neighborhoods, as “the municipality has no legal right to deny proprietary rights of land owners.” Permits were awarded equally, without consideration of race, religion or gender of applicants.
