Israeli authorities have paused plans to build a new settlement in East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities have paused the plan to approve the building of 9,000 housing units for a new settlement on an abandoned block of land that was once an international airport in operation during the British Mandate, according to multiple reports.

Amid pressure from the Biden administration the Jerusalem district planning Committee didn’t approve the plan for building the new settlement in Atarot in East Jerusalem.

An Israeli state planning committee delays granting further approval of a major settlement project in EastJerusalem that has drawn US and Palestinian concern.

What people are saying?

Barak Ravid The Blinken-Bennett call was aimed first and foremost to deliver a message against building a new settlement Atarot in East Jerusalem – not to talk about Iran, two sources briefed on the issue told me. Iran was also discusses in detail during the call.

Jacob Magid During the hearing, a representative from the Environmental Protection Ministry testified that the quality of life of the future Israeli residents could be harmed by the planned neighborhood’s close proximity to the Atarot Industrial Zone.