New Jewish homes planned in Jerusalem Muslim sector

26 Jul 2005 13:42:49 GMT

Source: Reuters

JERUSALEM, July 26 (Reuters) - Jerusalem's municipality gave preliminary approval for the building of 21 homes for Jews in an Arab quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, a city spokesman said on Tuesday as the plan drew Palestinian condemnation.

The project, which the Maariv daily said involves building homes and a synagogue in the heart of the Muslim Quarter, still needs to be approved by the Interior and Housing Ministries before construction can begin, a city hall spokesman said.

Palestinian officials condemned the plan which they said would spark new friction between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem's Old City, which Israel considers to be part of its "eternal capital" and Palestinians want for the capital of a state.

"This is pouring fuel on the fire. We ask the international community to intervene immediately and stop such actions," senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said.

A spokeswoman for the Housing Ministry said the plan was initiated by the previous housing minister and was not in the ministry's budget for 2005.

An ultranationalist Jewish organisation has been buying property in the Muslim Quarter in recent years for Jewish families who live there under heavy security, creating tension with their Arab neighbours.

Jerusalem's walled Old City is divided into four residential quarters: Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian. Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a move not recognised internationally.

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