For an Equitable and Stable Jerusalem with an Agreed Political Future

Yesterday afternoon, the Israeli government announced plans to build 3,000 housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including possible development of the highly controversial E-1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim.  This sweeping project, frozen since 2004, would add 3,900 housing units, industrial and commercial development, hotels and other potential projects to land considered vital to a future Palestinian state.  If developed, E-1 would have the dual effect of separating East Jerusalem from the West Bank (after Thursday's UN vote, now formally recognized as Palestine) while bifurcating a future Palestinian state into northern and southern cantons.  Given this decisive geopolitical impact, E-1 has long been recognized as the "nail in the coffin of the two state solution."  

Although there is a master plan for the E-1 area, no town planning scheme (TPS) number has been assigned to it.  Several other projects in the area have received a TPS number, including an industrial zone which must be approved by the minister of defense before construction can begin.  Two housing projects have not yet been deposited for objections; at this point, it will take several months before the approval process is completed, after which tenders must be announced and awarded before building can commence. 

The government’s announcement yesterday referred to both east Jerusalem and the West Bank.   Below is a chart of plans being promoted specifically in East Jerusalem, arranged by current status, delineating those for which tenders have already been released as well as those still in progress toward approval.  Tenders have already been published for 2,386 units in east Jerusalem on which construction has not yet begun.  It is worth noting that TPS # 11083 for 1,600 units in Ramat Shlomo is awaiting discussion of objections at the District Committee.  Given the recent publication of a tender for construction of Road 21—required for the advancement of new housing in the area—it would not be surprising to see announcement of final approval in the coming period. 

Ir Amim offers political tours of Jerusalem to the general public on a regular basis. The tour provides a thorough introduction to Israeli policy in Jerusalem since 1967 and its socio-economic and political implications.This includes discussion of the municipal boundaries, Israeli development in East Jerusalem, the separation barrier and its effects on the city, political trends, the relationship between the Israeli authorities and the Palestinian population, as well as recent developments. For tour feedback and more information click here.

Registration:contact us at studytours@ir-amim.org.il. Please specify the date of the tour that you would like to join, the number of participants and a telephone number. We will contact you ASAP.Our study tours fill up quickly, so please sign up as early as possible!The tours are free of charge.  

In advance of this hearing, and apparently in an effort to render it irrelevant, the ministerial committee for legislation adopted a draft bill, allowing the sweeping privatization of all of the national parks and their transfer to private organizations. The draft law

  passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset by a large majority on July 27 – just days before the summer break.  

As part of the government decisions regarding “Emergency Plan to Accelerate Building of Housing,” a special committee was formed to advance building plans that would then be implemented by the Building and Housing Ministry.  Among the plans to be advanced are 4 Israeli building plans in East Jerusalem, which would add more than 4,000 new housing units.  Ir Amim calls urgently upon the government to remove these plans from the special committee, because of their highly sensitive nature.

For some 40 years East Jerusalem has used a curriculum that is in keeping with the heritage, identity and culture of its tens of thousands of children. Ir Amim has recently learned that attempts are currently underway to change the textbooks in East Jerusalem, leading to further destabilization of the fragile situation there. For more, read Ir Amim's letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Ir Amim offers you an opportunity to help transform Jerusalem from a volatile flash point to a stable and sustainable city whose future is determined by a negotiated process.   Our work would not be possible without your support! 

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