Israel Matzav

Jerusalem allocates NIS 62 million for Ramat Shlomo infrastructure

Just last Tuesday, I reported that construction had been frozen in Ramat Shlomo, with budgets non-existent and existing residents unable to expand their homes. On Monday, the Jerusalem city council allocated NIS 62.4 million for infrastructure that will at least get new construction going in Ramat Shlomo. There is no word (in this article) on whether existing residents will finally be allowed to expand their homes.

A total of NIS 62.4 million will be allocated for the construction of approximately 1,600 housing units and the infrastructure needed to develop the planned Jewish community.

The Finance Committee decision came less than 24 hours after the government allocated NIS 16m. to develop the City of David National Park in the primarily Arab neighborhood of Silwan, as well as NIS 150,000 to construct a mikve, or ritual bath, for the Jewish neighborhood of Nof Tzion in the Arab quarter of Jebl Mukaber.

...

In a statement issued on Monday, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor and Finance Committee head David Hadari lauded the funding announcement, deeming it “Jerusalem’s vaccination shot against those who think about dividing it somehow.”

However, Meretz councilman Meir Margalit, who holds the east Jerusalem portfolio, reacted with disappointment.

“This was an unnecessary and counterproductive decision – not because I’m against the infrastructure, but because I’m against the timing,” Margalit said Monday evening.

In a statement, the Jerusalem Municipality noted there had been no changes in its construction policy over the past four decades, adding that it would continue to “build in all of the city’s neighborhoods according to statutory plans” for both Jews and Arabs.

“In the coming years, tens of thousands of housing units will be built all over the city for all sectors,” the statement said. “New construction in Jerusalem is necessary for the development of the city and in order to give young people and students the opportunity to live and buy houses in the capital.” 

I hope this also means that the apartments for which the infrastructure is being built will also be built and that existing residents will be able to expand their apartments. 

Labels: East Jerusalem, Jerusalem construction, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Ramat Shlomo

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:20 PM