ISRAEL APPROVES NEW SETTLEMENT PLAN SOUTH OF JERUSALEM

Jerusalem, 8 Dzulhijjah 1435/1 October 2014 (MINA) –The Israeli government approved a decision to construct a huge Israeli settlement south of Jerusalem as part of its “Jerusalem 2020” project, which aims to construct 58,000 settler housing units in the Holy City.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Quds, Khalil Al-Tafakji, an expert on Israeli settlements, said that the decision to build 2,561 new housing units in Givat HaMatos was ratified yesterday.

The settlement will be located in Beit Safafa territory, which is located south of Jerusalem as well as in the Beit Jala near Bethlehem, according to the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) report monitored by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Al-Tafakji said such a decision does not require much for approval but depends on the issuance of a permit and funds to begin construction.

The settlement of Givat HaMatos currently consists of 250 mobile homes that will be removed in accordance with the project’s expansion. Permanent buildings will be built in their place.

Al-Tafakji said that the establishment of this settlement would mean that the town of Beit Safafa would be surrounded by settlements and bypass roads on all sides. This will make it impossible for the town to embark on any expansion plans.

He expressed his belief that the establishment of this large-scale settlement was a giant leap for the Judaisation project known as Jerusalem 2020.

Not only does this project seek to expand existing settlements, eh explained, but it also allows for the building of new ones making it a project that requires the confiscation of 2,000 acres of occupied Palestinian land. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)