Jerusalem OKs new building for Jews in Arab neighborhood

The Defense Ministry says that Liberman revoked the permit of Mohammed Al-Madani because he attempted to create a political party that included Arab citizens of Israel and sephardic Jews.

Mohammad Madani, head of the Committee for Interaction with the Israeli Society, told AFP the decision to cancel his VIP card was proof of the “racist policy” of the newly appointed Lieberman.

Moroccan-born Reuven Abergel, a longtime Mizrahi activist, called Wednesday’s announcement “patronizing”.

Two weeks ago, a request by settlers to discuss allowing the construction of three settlement units was cancelled following political pressure against the municipality, especially when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired the Municipal Council meeting. Previous laws required law enforcement to prove there was a concrete possibility of an attack.

“Unfortunately, from the day of our founding and even before we are in a struggle against terrorism”, said lawmaker Nissan Slomiansky, who presented the bill.

Jewish settlers have been granted authorization to construct a building in Silwan, a neighborhood in Palestinian-dominated east Jerusalem next to the historic Old City, authorities said Friday. The move was denounced by the Palestinians, who say encouraging settlement in the area is an obstacle to peace.

The approval is also likely to draw criticism from the global community.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the worldwide community.

The Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Hazem Khairat, urged Palestinians and Israelis on Thursday to resume negotiations and to make peace, warning that “there is not much time left”.

Some 200,000 Jews live in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem that the Palestinians and global community consider illegal settlements. The Palestinians want the eastern sector for the capital of their hoped-for state and they see Jewish settlements there as an obstacle to peace.

The statement went on to demand that Israel withdraw its boosted police forces that were deployed to Jerusalem’s Old City during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when an increased number of Palestinian and Israeli Arabs are visiting the mosques that occupy the Temple Mount. Hundreds of Jews now live in heavily-guarded enclaves among tens of thousands of Palestinians, where their presence often enflames tensions.