Netanyahu Pushes Ahead on Plan to 'Judaize' Jerusalem

Arab World

May 26th, 11:41am

Ramallah - Kifah Zaboun

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looks on as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh sits next to him as Abbas delivers a speech following the announcement by US President Donald Trump of the Mideast peace plan, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank January 28, 2020. Reuters/Raneen Sawafta

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested the formulation of a plan to develop and enhance Jerusalem’s status. He called on the heritage and finance ministries to prepare a special NIS 200 million-worth investment plan (more than 52 million euros) to implement development projects in Jerusalem. “I ask the director generals of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Heritage Ministry, together with Finance Minister Yisrael Katz, to prepare a special NIS 200 million plan to continue developing and enhancing Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said during the new cabinet’s first meeting. “It is important during the coronavirus pandemic that Jerusalem remains a priority,” he tweeted. Netanyahu praised the importance of US President Donald Trump’s support in developing the “eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish people.” “We are working on developing the city and promoting projects in various fields,” he stressed, adding that he owes these projects a great deal to Trump’s historic move, in which he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, “correcting a historical mistake.” “This is important in the corona era. This is important because Jerusalem is always our greatest joy. I can conclude and say: Next year in the rebuilt and healthy Jerusalem.” For his part, Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh immediately responded to Netanyahu’s tweets, stressing that his attempts to Judaize Jerusalem will fail. “Netanyahu’s plan to Judaize Jerusalem is not new,” he affirmed. Shtayyeh stressed that Palestine counts on its people, whose steadfastness and resistance are the basis for success. Israel won’t ever be able to Judaize Palestinians, the Premier said, adding that several conferences have been held in support of Jerusalem, but their outcomes were not translated in a serious and practical way. Shtayyeh expressed hope that Arabs will take a steady stance in support for Jerusalem and against all the conspiracies to take over the Palestinian city. The PA has earlier canceled all agreements with Israel, in light of the latter’s decision to annex parts of the West Bank. In a press conference in Ramallah, Shtayyeh said international organizations will serve as a communication channel with Israel for daily life affairs. The government will send medical equipment and medicines from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip through the World Health Organization, he noted.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2302906/netanyahu-pushes-ahead-plan-judaize-jerusalem