A new Israeli ring road is being built, which officials say will benefit all of its residents. But critics say it's yet another obstacle to Palestinian hopes to make their future capital in East Jerusalem
The bypass, called The American Road, will connect Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank that are north and south of Jerusalem. The central and southern sections of the road are already being built, and tenders for the northernmost stretch – at a projected cost of $187 million – will be issued toward the end of the year, a Jerusalem municipality official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Israeli officials say the road, which will include a 1.6 kilometre tunnel east of the Mount of Olives, will ease traffic congestion for both Israelis and Palestinians living in the area. FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a bridge under construction as part of The American Road, an Israeli ring road that is being built through East Jerusalem. The construction is in Sur Baher, a Palestinian neighbourhood of East Jerusalem May 10, 2020. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg
King said the highway would be a “significant corridor” from the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the southern West Bank and settlements such as Har Homa south of the city centre, to settlements to the north and east of Jerusalem, including Maale Adumim, which is home to more than 40,000 people. Planning documents reviewed by Reuters and visits to the area to plot the route show the road will run for more than eight kilometres . Dozens of Palestinians living along the route of The American Road pointed to such factors as the scope of the construction and the proximity of the highway’s northern and southern ends to major settlements as evidence that the bypass was designed primarily for settlers.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Luxembourg sees EU recognising Palestine if Israel 'steals' West BankLuxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn says Israel's annexation of parts of occupied West Bank would be 'stealing' and would make European Union's recognition of Palestine as a state 'inevitable.'
Read more »
As Israel Vows Annexation, Palestinian Leaders Embark On Risky Form Of ProtestBy disrupting the status quo, Palestinian leaders want to seize the world's attention and scare Israel into abandoning annexation plans. But ordinary Palestinians are paying the price for the disruptions in funds, policing and medical care.
Read more »
Israel approves funding for new 'Trump Heights' settlementThe initiative 'expresses gratitude' to Donald Trump for his work for the State of Israel and the Golan Heights, Israel's cabinet said in a statement.
Read more »
Israel ups stockpile of nuclear warheads from 80 to 90 – reportUS, Russia, UK, France, China, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea together possessed an estimated 13,400 nuclear weapons at 2020 begining, Swedish peace research institute says.
Read more »
Luxembourg sees EU recognising Palestine if Israel 'steals' West BankLuxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn says Israel's annexation of parts of occupied West Bank would be 'stealing' and would make European Union's recognition of Palestine as a state 'inevitable.'
Read more »