Housing minister disputes claim that gov't stalling e. J'lem plans, announces bids for 1,100 new units.
By AP, JPOST.COM STAFFBoim 224.88(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Bids will soon be submitted to build 1,100 apartments in east Jerusalem, 370 apartments in Har Homa and an additional 750 in Pisgat Ze'ev, Construction and Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim said Tuesday.
The announcement came a day after Jerusalem city manager Yair Maayan told a parliamentary panel that the government was holding up construction of hundreds of apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of east Jerusalem.
Boim disputed that contention.
"We are building all over Jerusalem within its municipal borders," Boim said. "What people call delays are in fact final stages of coordination with city hall."
The Housing Ministry, Boim said, was preparing to carry out the infrastructure work that has to be done before bids are issued for 750 apartments in Pisgat Ze'ev. Some 370 apartments are in the pipeline for Har Homa, in addition to 350 apartments already put out to bid, he said.
Boim disputed allegations that political considerations were holding up building in Jerusalem.
"There is a directive from the prime minister requiring his personal approval for planning, bids, etc," he said. "There is nothing regarding construction in Jerusalem."
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