'625 housing units approved in northern Pisgat Ze'ev'

Interior Ministry committee officially approves plan for the establishment of a new neighborhood called "North Pisgat Ze'ev."

By JPOST.COM STAFF, MELANIE LIDMAN
Pisgat Zeev construction tractors 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Pisgat Zeev construction tractors 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
The Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Committee has approved the establishment of a new neighborhood of 625 housing units in northeastern Jerusalem called "North Pisgat Ze'ev."
The move comes despite strong opposition by the US administration.
RELATED:Lieberman: 'Freeze' should be removed from our lexicon 21% drop in number of finished settlement homes Capital gives green light to Gilo housing project
The last major approval for construction in east Jerusalem was announced on November 8, for 1345 apartments in Har Homa in Ramot. The announcement drew international condemnation. The announcement, which took place simultaneously with Prime Minister Netanyahu's meetings with US Vice President Joe Biden,  was made by the same district committee under the aegis of the Interior Ministry. The move drew international condemnation.
According to reports, some accuse Netanyahu of using the east Jerusalem housing announcements to try to assuage fears of a renewed freeze on construction over the Green Line, though it is unlikely than any construction freeze would officially include construction in east Jerusalem.