The United States has criticized Israel for approving the construction on Tuesday of four new Jewish buildings on eastern Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives. Earlier this week, the Ministerial Committee on Legislation delayed by 60 days voting on a bill that would establish a special authority to manage the Mount of Olives. The bill is jointly sponsored by Members of Knesset Yoel Hasson (Kadima), Professor Aryeh Eldad (National Union), Nissim Zev (Shas) and Uri Maklev (United Torah Judaism), giving a wide base of support among coalition and opposition parties. The ministerial committee decided to delay the vote in order to coordinate plans within the coalition, but its sponsors expressed confidence on Tuesday that it will be approved as a government bill.
“The Mount of Olives is the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world,” the lawmakers wrote in their introduction to the proposed legislation. “It has been a national site for the Jewish people since the days of the First Temple and, in addition to serving as a preeminent historical site of great importance to the Jewish people, it is a holy site.”
“The Mount of Olives is the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world,” the lawmakers wrote in their introduction to the proposed legislation. “It has been a national site for the Jewish people since the days of the First Temple and, in addition to serving as a preeminent historical site of great importance to the Jewish people, it is a holy site.”