(Ynet News) Ronen Medzini - Jerusalem city hall characterized the latest reports on construction at the Shepherd Hotel compound as "distorted," saying they were meant to stir a provocation during the prime minister's visit in Washington. "The plan was approved in July 2009 at the local committee. Its approval was published in the media back then. The fees were paid by the land owners only on March 15 of this year, and the approval was granted automatically after that," the official response said. Sources closely affiliated with the construction project also said that the latest permit is merely technical. "The permit for the Shepherd Hotel was granted more than six months ago. Regrettably, radical leftist elements chose to present the matter as if the plan was approved today. These same elements were seeking to sabotage the prime minister's visit in Washington," one source said. Meanwhile, Jerusalem city hall announced Tuesday the promotion of a comprehensive plan for east Jerusalem. The initiative will include an increase in the commercial and hotel zones in the area, as well as the addition of another 100 housing units earmarked for Arabs.
2010-03-24 09:52:47Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive