As part of the 3,000 units scheduled to be constructed in the coming months in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, construction has begun in Ras al-Amud, Pisgat Ze’ev and a number of other East Jerusalem settlements. This is despite a statement earlier this week by Housing and Construction Minister Ariel Attias that no new construction permits have been authorized since March.
As part of the 3,000 units scheduled to be constructed in the coming months in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, construction has begun in Ras al-Amud, Pisgat Ze’ev and a number of other East Jerusalem settlements. This is despite a statement earlier this week by Housing and Construction Minister Ariel Attias that no new construction permits have been authorized since March.
Earlier this year, the US President Barack Obama had demanded a construction freeze of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem, but later backed down on that demand. Israeli settlement construction has rapidly increased since Obama backed down on his demand, with the Israeli Prime Minister stating publicly that 3,000 new units would be built in the coming months.
The settlements are Israeli housing developments constructed on Palestinian land that was seized by military force and held in violation of international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the transfer of civilians onto land seized and held by military force.
Despite the assurance of the Housing Minister, the Jerusalem municipality has, in fact, approved the expansion of at least twenty settlements in East Jerusalem. In addition, hundreds of developments on private land are being expanded as well, claiming that they do not need to get approval from the Jerusalem municipality for the expansion.
The development of new and expanded Israeli settlements comes at a time of increased demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, particularly in the Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhoods – ironically, some of the same areas where Israeli expansion is rapidly moving forward.
