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Israeli Government announces £420m plan for East Jerusalem
The Israeli Government has announced a new £420m redevelopment plan for Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.
The “Leading Change” plan was launched by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and aims to tackle social inequality between East and West Jerusalem. The programme will be delivered by several government ministries and focus on investment in three areas: education, infrastructure and helping Arab women enter the workforce.
Rivlin described it as “the most comprehensive attempt by the government to date to narrow the gaps and to develop the economy” of East Jerusalem.
Environment and Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin, who announced yesterday that he was running for Mayor of Jerusalem in the municipal elections to be held later this year, said of the new investment: “All those who truly believe in a unified Jerusalem and aspire to full sovereignty must act with determination to govern on one hand, and to take responsibility for developing infrastructure on the other.”
Last year the Government invested £37m to upgrade the infrastructure of Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem. The plan was also led by Minister Elkin and included upgrading 33 kilometres of sewage infrastructure.