40 new apartments approved in Pisgat Zev
What's amazing about this story is that a decision to grant a permit to build 40 apartments (out of a total project of 220) would set off such a firestorm.Pisgat Zev is a mostly (see the picture at the top - it advertises a Pisgat Zev apartment for sale or lease to Arabs only) Jewish neighborhood in the northeast part of Jerusalem. On Monday, the Jerusalem Planning Council approved the construction of another 40 housing units there. And the moonbats went wild.
The units are part of a controversial plan entailing the construction of 220 apartments in all, which has been criticized by the Palestinians and the US as well as left-wing politicians. Recently 32 units were approved as part of the same plan.Is there ever a 'good' time to approve building in Jerusalem these days? Is there any moment that is not termed 'critical'? And in what other city in the world would the local planning commission be expected to take global geopolitical considerations into account? Simply absurd....
The construction is considered a violation of the status-quo because it will take place beyond the 1967 borders. The timing has also been criticized, as it comes just as Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to hold peace talks.
The chairman of the committee and deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Kobi Kahlon, said before the vote on the 40 units that Pisgat Ze'ev should be considered the same as any other neighborhood in the city.
"We don't have the authority to deprive any man of the rights he deserves. People don't understand the rules of this system. This respected committee hasn't the option to behave differently. Its considerations are limited, as is its range of action," Kahlon added.
But Councilman Meir Turgeman, who heads the opposition faction in the municipal council, said that "the municipality's conduct on the issue of Pisgat Ze'ev and the construction in Jerusalem is atrocious".
"Everything is done in the dark, like thieves, and derives from hypocrisy and double standards upheld by the mayor," Turgeman said. "We can't keep lying to the entire world like this."
Former deputy mayor, Yosef (Pepe) Alalo, said the timing was wrong for such decisions. "I've always said there was no problem with Pisgat Ze'ev, but the trouble is the timing," he said.
"We are now at the most critical moment for the negotiations, and such an approval is harmful. They wanted to do this in a disorderly manner, without anyone noticing, but it's outrageous. We should consider the reality."
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:10 PM
3 Comments:
and it is EXACTLY this type of thing, where the rights of Jews are trampled upon, that is keeping us from making aliyah. Tell me, WHY should I subject myself and family to the ravages of the Israeli government. ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!!
Its as if someone wanted to build some flats in the small town I live in and Saudi Arabia complained to the UK gov.that they weren't islamic enough!
Its got nothing to do with them!!
Its alright to build new apartments in Jerusalem - as long as they aren't for Jews. As for the "timing", the Palestinians will find an excuse not to negotiate with Israel. Jews living in Pisgat Zev is not going to change the Palestinian rejection of Israel and denying Jews their rights is not going to bring them back to the table. The Israeli Left is all for it because they want to divide Jerusalem again. You can cleanse Jews out of part of the city if you believe they have no right to live there. If only they were more honest about it, this uproar would be a good deal more understandable....
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