Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 09, 2008 Shvat 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 09:49 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The New Shai Police headquarters near Jerusalem (Daniel Bar On / Jini) Last update - 12:46 07/01/2008 Police delay move to new West Bank HQ in Ma'ale Adumim By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Police  The Israel Police has delayed moving into a new building in the contested E-1 area near Jerusalem, which was originally slated to happen by the end of 2007. However, the police said the delay was unconnected to U.S. President George W. Bush's visit later this week. The relocation of the Shai (Samaria and Judea District) headquarters to E-1, a corridor connecting Jerusalem to the settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim, has been planned for a long time. In an interview with Haaretz last October, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter announced that the move would take place by the end of 2007. The relocation to E-1, he added, was an "established fact" and would not be conditioned on American approval. Spokesmen for both the police and the Public Security Ministry denied on Sunday that the move had been postponed due to Bush's visit; they said the delay was necessary because the new building's infrastructure had not yet been completed. However, a source involved in the project told Haaretz: "No one knew about President Bush's visit when we talked about transferring the district headquarters by the end of 2007. It is reasonable to assume that the Israel Police would not have embarrassed the government in advance of the president's visit by moving the headquarters into its new building even if work on the building had been completed on time." Advertisement The building was erected on land that has been Jewish-owned since Ottoman times. The Public Security Ministry said Sunday that the move would take place in the next two or three months. Originally, Israel had also planned to build some 3,500 apartments in E-1, which is technically part of Ma'aleh Adumim. However, the Palestinians, the Americans and other international players objected, arguing that such a project would sever the southern West Bank from the northern part and isolate East Jerusalem from both. Washington therefore exerted heavy pressure on Israel to freeze the plan, and in 2004, the government acceded. In order to keep its claim to the area alive, however, Israel decided to go ahead with the planned new police station. Security facilities generally arouse less international opposition than do houses, because they are viewed as easily movable should a future Israeli-Palestinian agreement so dictate. Israel views territorial linkage between Ma'aleh Adumim and Jerusalem as important because Ma'aleh Adumim is one of the major settlement blocs it seeks to keep under any agreement. Related articles: Israel takes land to ease way to build in E-1 area Police to move W. Bank district HQ to contentious J'lem corridor IDF orders the expropriation of Arab land near East Jerusalem Ma'aleh Adumim plan advances, despite minister's opposition Bookmark to del.icio.us   Oh Hillary Clinton throws everything but the kitchen sink at New Hampshire. Jewel of the Crown Diamond billionaire Lev Leviev buys most expensive property ever sold in Britain.   1.   Why are there Israeli police in Palestine? 05:12  |  POP 07/01/08   2.   I DONTBELIEVE MY EYES 09:51  |  DANNY 07/01/08   3.   POP: There`s No Such Thing As "Palestine" 11:05  |  Yishai Kohen 07/01/08   4.   Go Home, Yishai 11:53  |  Erik 07/01/08   5.   #1 POOP 12:46  |  DANNY 07/01/08   6.   With an HQ on occupied territory 11:12  |  John 08/01/08

Today Online U.S. Prof. Finkelstein meets top Hezbollah official in Lebanon Responses: 380 Lebanese PM vows probe into Katyusha fire at Israel Responses: 126 Israel botched chance to free abducted soldiers at start of war Responses: 72 High security for Bush visit will cost Israel $25,000 an hour Responses: 72 Israeli Arab leaders slam boycott of visiting Jewish donors Responses: 102 Rosner's Domain What does "change" mean for Israel? 2008 race: The marathon is far from over Rosner's Guest: Israel at present is not a light unto the nations Rosner's Mailbox: Anti-Semites within Ron Paul's camp "It is not enough to launch a peace process" (WTR) More Headlines 08:44 Clinton narrowly beats Obama in N.H., resurrects White House bid 08:45 Bush set to arrive for first presidential visit to Israel 05:58 ANALYSIS: Bush can spur peace talks, but can't solve Gaza issue 08:52 Medics: One dead, six wounded in IAF strike on militants in Gaza 08:47 Group asks AG Mazuz to halt J'lem Muslim Quarter excavation 02:26 PA security official: Al Aqsa Brigade has dismantled 02:54 Early warning system fails to spot Katyusha strike in North 08:50 U.S. basketballer Bynum, freed from jail, rejoins Maccabi teammates 08:49 Polices' biggest concern for Bush visit: Disturbances by extremists Previous Editions Select Day 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec

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