JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will no longer block construction of an apartment complex for Jews in the heart of traditionally Arab east Jerusalem, the owner of the property said Wednesday.
However, government spokesman Moshe Fogel said he was not aware of any policy change concerning the project in Ras al-Amud, a neighborhood of 11,000 Palestinians outside the walled Old City.In the past, Netanyahu held up construction on grounds it might endanger public safety, presumably because it would trigger Palestinian riots.
The Palestinians fear the Ras al-Amud project will break up Arab neighborhoods in east Jerusalem and hurt plans to establish their capital in the sector.
The owner of the 4-acre property in Ras al-Amud, Florida millionaire Irving Moskowitz, toured the site Wednesday.
Asked by reporters whether he believed the prime minister would no longer object to the construction project, Moskowitz said: "That's my understanding, very clearly."
Ziad Abu Ziad, a member of the Palestinian legislative council, said if it was confirmed that Netanyahu had given the green light for construction, "such an act would prove that this government is not interested in peace."