Infrastructure plan pours millions into connecting settlements to West Jerusalem
Jerusalem24– The Israeli Ministry of Transport and Road Safety announced yesterday a NIS 360 million plan for transportation infrastructure in East Jerusalem, an announcement it said was made on the occasion of “Jerusalem Day.”
The plan includes bicycle paths, upgrades to existing infrastructure, as well as road planning, and is meant to “reduce the gaps” in infrastructure between the West of the city and the occupied East.
Areas slated for development include several settlements in occupied East Jerusalem including Atarot.
The plan includes over NIS 200 million to upgrade the public transportation system in Jerusalem between 2022-2026, and NIS 10 million to promote road planning in East Jerusalem. NIS 50 million was allocated to infrastructure survey in the area.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety Merav Michaeli said the plan was “taking another step in connecting all areas of the city.”
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and formally annexed it in 1980 in a move not recognized by almost all of the international community. The settlements in East Jerusalem are illegal under international law.
The new infrastructure plan comes after the approval of a cable car project which will cut through Palestinian neighborhoods in Silwan, as well as a new section of light rail. All three projects will connect West Jerusalem with occupied East Jerusalem.
