The Israeli cabinet, on Sunday, approved a $90 million dollar socio-economic development project for occupied East Jerusalem. The project calls for the monies to be disbursed over a period of five years, with the aim of obstructing any future calls for dividing the city as part of a peace agreement.
The committee stated that the security situation in East Jerusalem led to ‘a real impact on Israel’s ability to effectively govern the area under its sovereignty, was leading Israeli visitors to stay away from historic sites such as the cemetery on the Mount of Olives, and to untenable living conditions for the local residents,’ according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Israel seized control over East Jerusalem during the June 1967 Middle East war, as well as 28 Palestinian villages on the city borders. East Jerusalem was annexed to Israel in 1980, although this move was never recognized by the international community.
Figures provided by the municipality note there are approximately 306,000 Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, who account for 38 percent of the city’s overall population.
Currently there are more than 200,000 Israelis living in settlements in East Jerusalem.
One third of the approved budget is earmarked for an increase in the number of policemen on the beat, as well as a greater number of security cameras.
Details at AIC.
Related: Bennett Proposes to Demolish Wall and Annex Area C
