<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Jerusalem Arab Housing Plan Blocked By Political&nbsp;Right]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p><span class="article-details"><span class="article-detail">Thursday June 23, 2011 11:05</span><span class="article-detail"> by Kevin Murphy &#8211;<a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/61529" target="_blank"> IMEMC and Agencies</a></span></span><a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/61529" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<blockquote class="article-intro"><p><strong>A plan to build 2,500 Arab housing units in East Jerusalem was stopped by right-wing pressure groups and Haredi city council members on the grounds that it was a &#8220;politically dangerous&#8221; and &#8220;poorly conceived&#8221;.</strong></p></blockquote>
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<p class="article">Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat had proposed a construction plan for 2,500 houses on private land in southern East Jerusalem. The vote was canceled on Monday because it was clear that it had no chance of passing.</p>
<p>The Left-wing council members criticized Barkat of a lack of effort to pass the plan and the Right-wing criticized the plan as both a political liability and as ill-designed. Councilman Yair Gabai of NRP said &#8220;This plan will create a dangerous reality of a contiguous built up area between Silwan and Abu Dis, thus effectively legitimizing the division of the city.”</p>
<p>In contrast with similar Jewish projects, the plan gives responsibility for the development to land owners instead of the city. It will take years to complete the construction as a result.</p>
<p>The municipality released statements affirming the importance of the plan and it will be reconsidered by the committee.</p>
<p>The designated land in the village of Sawahara is privately owned</p>
<p><a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/61529"><br />
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