Number of Arab apartments has more than doubled
Over the past 30 years, the number of Arab-owned apartments in Jerusalem
has risen significantly. In 1967, there were 12,200 Arab-owned apartments
in eastern Jerusalem, whereas in 1995 there were 27,066 apartments, an
increase of 15,000 or 122%. In the Jewish sector, there were 57,500 apartments
in 1967 and 122,780 in 1995, an increase of 113.5%. Thus, the pace of development
in the Arab sector has been higher than that of the Jewish sector.
Arab construction throughout eastern Jerusalem
Arab residents have been building widely throughout the neighborhoods
of eastern Jerusalem. Between 1971 and 1994, the Jerusalem Municipality
granted permits for 1.1 million square meters of built area for residential
purposes for Arab residents. Nearly half of all Arab construction is done
without permits. The distribution of Arab construction has been as follows:
40% in neighborhoods surrounding the Old City (Issawiya, A-Tur, Silwan
and Ras al-Amud); 30% in neighborhoods to the north of the Old City (Beit
Hanina, Shuafat, Kafr Aqab and Semirmis); 20% in the southeastern part
of the city (Arab A-Suahra, Sur Baher and Um Toba) and 10% in Beit Safafa
in southern Jerusalem. As a result, there are now contiguous areas of Arab
housing between Jerusalem and Ramallah/ el-Bireh to the north, and Bethlehem
to the south.
Over 3,000 new Arab housing units recently approved
The building of homes for Jewish and Arab residents alike is essential
for the continued development of Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
recently stated, “We are as committed to the Arab residents of Jerusalem
as we are to providing for the Jewish residents… We will adapt the building
plans to the needs of both populations.” In line with this policy, Israel
has approved construction plans for 3,015 housing units in 10 Arab neighborhoods
of Jerusalem, concomitantly with the approval of the Har Homa housing project.
Provided by the Israeli Government Press Office