Israel Radio: Massive New Settlement Project in East Jerusalem

Israel Radio: Massive New Settlement Project in East Jerusalem

16/01/2011 A massive new construction project in a district of occupied East Jerusalem is about to be authorized, with 1,400 homes planned, Israeli military radio reported Sunday.

The homes will be built in the settlement of Gilo, near Bethlehem, the report said.

It is expected to be given the green light by the district planning commission in the coming days, it added.

City Council member Meir Margalit of the Meretz faction told Ynet the plan constitutes a "confirmed kill of the peace process.

"Israel's attitude in the beginning of 2011 is worrying. We started the year aggressively with home demolitions, the Shepherd Hotel affair and now this. It seems as though someone in the government thinks (US President Barack) Obama is weak and that now is the time to promote such provocative plans," he said. "I hope this will wake up the Americans."

About a year ago the regional committee for planning and construction approved a motion to expand Gilo and south Jerusalem and build 900 new housing units in the neighborhood, Ynet said.

The construction project drew heavy criticism from Washington and left-wing organizations.

Jewish settlers storm Attof village in Jordan valley, carry out land survey

Israelis are trying to convert Aqsa Mosque feature into Jewish shrine

[ 16/01/2011 - 10:57 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- The Gaza religious affairs ministry's Jerusalem committee warned Saturday that the Israelis are mapping out a plan to seize the Rabat al-Kurd, to the left of Aqsa Mosque's Iron Gate, and convert the integral part of the Islamic site into a minor Jewish wailing wall.

Israeli raids on the mosque were aimed at taking over the greatest possible area surrounding the Aqsa Mosque, the Jerusalem committee said. The first takeover was against Rabat al-Kurd.

The Israelis had already converted a part of Rabat al-Kurd decades ago into a Jewish shrine dubbed the "minor wailing wall", the committee said.

Excavations beneath the site, under the pretense of restoration and development in the holy city, years back caused collapsing and cracking in neighboring Palestinian homes, the committee went on to say.

The religious affairs ministry also condemned an Israeli government project to build a tourist hotel over the historic, Islamic Al-Qishla cemetery, which runs along the Grand Mosque in Yaffa, a move the ministry called a shot at Judaizing 1948-occupied territories.

Judaization Plots Underway; Historic Palestinian Hotel Turned into Synagogue

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian