BICOM

The office of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday denied claims by the anti-settlement group Peace Now, that there are plans to construct new housing units in the controversial E1 area of the West Bank.

Peace Now gathered the information as part of a freedom of information request. The pressure groups says that the documents it uncovered showed that former-Housing Minister Uri Ariel, considered one of Jewish Home’s most vociferous settlement advocates, had drawn up plans for  55,500 new units in the West Bank, including more than 8,000 units in E1. The E1 area, located near Ma’aleh Adumim north of Jerusalem, is particularly controversial as Palestinian leaders say that construction there would undermine the contiguity of a future Palestinian state.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday, said that “While he was serving as minister of housing in the previous government, Uri Ariel commissioned some theoretical plans for development in E1.” The statement continued to explain that Ariel’s plans lacked any validity, saying “He [Ariel] did so of his own initiative and without the required authorisation. The Ministry of Housing has no authority either to plan or build beyond the Green Line. These plans therefore have no standing and are not binding on anyone.”

Ariel was succeeded as Housing Minister by Kulanu’s Yoav Galant following March’s general election. A Housing Ministry spokeswoman explained yesterday that “During 2014, the Ministry of Housing and Construction transferred funds to the local municipality intended for closing outstanding contracts with design teams, which were active during the years 2012-13,” with Ariel having drawn up theoretical construction plans. She added that “At no time did the office proceed with housing plans on said site,” and clarified that “During 2015 there were no activities what so ever on the E1 site.”