Israel’s District Planning and Building Committee discussed on Dec. 6 plans proposed by the Jerusalem municipality to establish a new neighborhood, Atarot, at the site of the abandoned airport in east Jerusalem. The committee decided that feasibility studies must be done before the process can continue. In other words, the committee halted the process of advancing this plan, apparently at least for one year. 

The Atarot plans include some 9,000 new housing units, green areas, entertainment, public spaces and commerce. These plans for a new Jewish neighborhood on the other side of the Green Line are controversial, which is why the Biden administration seems to be furious and why left-wing ministers in Naftali Bennett’s Cabinet are trying to push forward other options for the area.

Development of the site was actually blocked by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for at least a decade, including during the Trump administration. Recently, at a meeting of its local planning committee, the Jerusalem municipality brought back the plans to the table. Subsequently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Dec. 2 called Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to express his dismay. Reports said Jerusalem assured Washington that construction of the neighborhood will be suspended.

It is also worth noting that according to reports, new American Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides rescheduled his presentation of credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Apparently, he advanced it to Dec. 5 rather than Dec. 6, when a group of new ambassadors will be presenting their credentials, so as to avoid having the ceremony coincide with the meeting of the District Planning and Building Committee to discuss plans for the new Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem.