Razing of Palestinian homes in E. Jerusalem approved despite 250 shortfalls in plan

building in East Jerusalem has nothing to do with rationality. It's all about politics. About the ongoing need to create everlasting (Jewish)facts on the ground. For whatever reason Israel keeps preferring building in disputed places over a chance at peace. Sad but true.

Have shame.

I bet the rush to grab as much land as possible is because the support from the average American for Israel is waning. I say most people I know say the US should reconsider it's support for this racist state. In fact, I hear more statements that the US should unilaterally recognize the Palestinian State based on the 67' border. 0

It seem many in Israel are trying to stale or out right stop peace talks along with any peace deal. Granted that Hamas seems to be doing much the same but a lot of pressure is being put on Hamas while little is being put on Israel except for building freeze in which there is record building going on right now.

I hope the city keeps its word and finds homes for the displaced families.

The only illegal construction there, is what's been built.

Meretz, and Haaretz: American Jewish Zionists thank you for preserving a voice of sanity in the wake of the Mayor of Jerusalem's bid to take over Israeli foreign policy. We hope that your efforts will lead to many lawsuits that will stop this flawed and ill timed plan from going forward. I sure hope that if a fund is set up to take donations for such lawsuits, you publish where we can contribute.

I just can't understand! How can a goverment destroy each peace opportunity offered. It's unacceptable for every person who wants peace now!

Keep it up Israel, the world is beginning to see your true intentions. Let's all take a step back and give a round of applause for the Internet. If this was 20 years ago, we probably would of never known and this would of gone unnoticed.

Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, eventually U.S. Jews will start paying attention. At that point "irreconcilable differences" will cause dissolution of the relationship.

Why should Arab East Jerusalem be subject to Israel`s apartheid system with discriminatory use of zoning laws, discrimination in permitting, discrimination in services, discrimination in courts...Arab East Jerusalem must be FREE and part of Palestine.

I am very surprised that the mayor would be so extreme in his actions because it's good to have criticism sometimes. The thing that worries me is that this plan got the goahead however a few people vote against (who don't affect the outcome btw) and he still goes out to sack them. That ain't democracy, that's a regime!

The annexation of East Jerusalem was declared ILLEGAL by UNSC Resolution 252 (1968)of 21 May 1968 UNSC Resolution 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 UNSC Resolution 271 (1969) of 15 September 1969, UNSC Resolution 298 (1971) of 25 September 1971, UNSC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980, UNSC Resolution 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980 And yet, Israel defies the International Community.

We can't reach a situation where Israel tears down illegal Jewish construction but turns a blind eye to illegal Arab construction. You can't talk about freezing Jewish construction without simultaneously freezing Arab construction.

So Nir Barkat has dismissed his Deputy Mayor and other council members for disagreeing with his plans. Isn't that more of a dictatortutorial practice than a democratic one? And, if the Israeli government allows this to happen and provides their tacit approval for the continued displacement of the Palestinian people, they too are just as guilty. Isn't it also amazing how they can quickly push through demolition orders to raze Palestinian homes, yet for a Palestinian to be granted a building permit, it virtually never happens or takes years for it to go through. This makes me feel absoluetly sick to my stomach.

a case of historical inevitability

... by Yemen Jews, and there is photographic evidence of the bare hillsides at the time. Arabs drove them out the Jews in the uprisings of the 1930s. The Arab claim is one of bloody conquest. Silwan is questionably part of E. Jerusalem as anyone can see by looking at a map. The rich history of this area by virtue of the water spring and the mention in the Old Testament cries out for something better than a motley assortment of ugly, illegal, and unsafe cement block hovels perched on the hillside.

Anything approved in less than 10 or 20 years is too quickly in this country. All there houses should be knocked down they are all illegal. They should all be knocked down in one day. However because it takes ten years to get a permit to build anything including arab homes a compromise was made. Let the city move forward. Mr. Havilio is against any building in east Jerusalem. The whole east Jerusalem looks like a slum why? because the mayors never took control Barakat is doing the right thing. For Jews and Arabs

What can explain this stupidity. It is beyond belief of course, but can it be the mayor is financed, (beyond his millions), by USA extremist right-wing multimillionaires?

just another illegal land grab. the norm for israelis.

The world has yet another example which tells it that Israel has one overriding objective: land grab not peace deal. Is it defensible? No, but then, Israel seems to love being in defensive mode...forever. How painfully sad.

Not sure what to say, it seems that the Jews have become idolaters of land - and the covet everything around them. It is amazing what monsters these Israelis have become, even in death, the German Reich creates more and more misery and monsters --truly a legacy only the Reich can be proud of.

I wonder who pays the kick backs to Nir Barkat

I keep expecting Barkat to grow a pointy goatee and start wearing an eyepatch. I mean, he's clearly aiming for over-the-top movie villain status at this point.

For a tourist center hey? Well, I officially won't be coming back to Israel.

Thank G-d that we will finally get our garden back. Now that hamas is fading from history maybe we can all live in peace.