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Israel Builds New Road Linking Jewish Settlements in West Bank to Jerusalem

(Worthy News) – Israel has started construction of a major ring road that will connect Jewish settlements in the West Bank to Jerusalem, Reuters reported exclusively Monday. Israeli officials say the road will ease traffic congestion and will benefit Palestinian West Bank residents as well as Israelis. Palestinians have criticized the road as a hindrance to making East Jerusalem the capital of a future state and for cutting Palestinian neighborhoods off from each other.

As construction continues, the Israeli government will soon begin discussions about PM Netanyahu’s intention to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Under the new coalition government agreement, Netanyahu can bring proposals to the Knesset to vote on from July 1. However, under the agreement, the PM must have US approval of his plans. Unilateral annexation plans have been condemned internationally, not least by the Palestinians, with whom peace talks have broken down.

Construction of the central and southern sections of what is called The American Road is already underway. Tenders for building the northern section will be issued later this year, an Israeli official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The projected cost of the north section is $187 million. The entire project is expected to cost over $250 million.

Palestinians told Reuters the road is mainly for the benefit of Jewish settlers. “This project cuts off Palestinian neighborhoods within the city from one another,” Fadi Al-Hidmi, the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, said. “[The road ] surrounds occupied East Jerusalem to further connect Israeli settlements and sever the occupied Palestinian capital from the rest of the West Bank,” Al-Hidmi told Reuters.

The road will reportedly include a 1.6 kilometre (one mile) tunnel east of the Mount of Olives, which Israeli officials say will ease traffic congestion for both Jews and Palestinians living in the area. “It doesn’t unite the settlements. It’s not about uniting borders or municipal lines,” Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Arieh King told Reuters. “But it does connect them more on the daily level – whether it’s studies, tourism or commerce. And then in practice you create a huge Jerusalem metropolis.”