'240 housing units approved in Ramot and Pisgat Ze'ev'

Housing Ministry, Israel Lands Authority reportedly announce building plans for 4,000 units; 240 beyond Green Line.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
311_Beitar Illit (photo credit: Associated Press)
311_Beitar Illit
(photo credit: Associated Press)
The Housing Ministry and Israel Lands Authority announced the sale of some 4,000 plots for building housing units, 240 of which are in the northern Jerusalem neighborhoods of Ramot and Pisgat Ze'ev located east the Green Line, Israel Radio reported Friday.
According to the report, of the 4,000 units, more than 1,100 units will be built in Netanya. Four-hundred-eighty will be built in Ashdod and 450 in Tel Aviv.
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The Prime Minister's Office commented on the move stating that the decision came from Housing Minister Ariel Attias, Army Radio reported. According to the report, the PMO reiterated that there is currently no building moratorium in Jerusalem, only a delay by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to "prevent surprises by the sensitive timing, as in the past."
The US has been notified and objected the decision, but officials in Jerusalem said the protest was not active and Washington did not attempt to halt the decision in a drastic manner said the report.
Attias said that the Housing and Lands Authority continues to operate vigorously to minimize the demand and supply in the housing market, Israel Radio reported on Friday. The efforts have focused on removing building obstructions in the center of the country.
Both the Palestinian Authority and the US government have in the past criticized building plans in Pisgat Ze’ev.