A New Palestinian Neighborhood in Jerusalem

Jerusalem – The Israeli ‘Yerushaliem Weekly’ reported yesterday that Palestinians intend to appeal to the Local Committee of Zoning and Building for the establishment of a large Palestinian neighborhood in Tal Al-Addasseh (Addasseh Hilltop) north of Beit Hanina on an area of 400 dunums (100 acres) which has the capacity to accommodate 2000 residential units. Supporting this project is the International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC), a Palestinian organization located in the Mount of Olives which is partly funded by the European Union. The new neighborhood is planned for residences for young middle-class families and will include public buildings, commercial centers, schools, kindergartens, and open spaces. The project is considered to be part of a large plan which supports the development of residential Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, and which has been ratified by the District Committee of Zoning and Building within the new town scheme plan. According to the main plan, which was authorized by the District Committee, tens of thousands of residential units will be established within the framework of specific projects which are granted annually and follow a given timeframe. The Municipality of Jerusalem initiated many structural projects in East Jerusalem neighborhoods in the 70’s and 80’s which allowed a building percentage ranging between 20% and 75%. The building policy has changed since then and large increases in building percentages have been allowed in At Tur (1500 residential units) and in Beit Hanina (2500 residential units). According to Municipality Council Member Meir Margalit: “The Al Addasseh town scheme plan has gained the blessing of Mayor Neir Barakat and is in line with his personal policy of allowing the construction of buildings for the Palestinian public as well; he talks about preliminary signs of an additional 5000 residential units being added to the Arab housing sector”.