Member of Knesset Uri Ariel (National Union) visited the Maaleh Hazeitim neighborhood on the Mount of Olives and called for an increase of the Jewish presence there by building thousands of additional units. MK Ariel also wished for the return of Jonathan Pollard.

Both statements were connected to the visit of United States Vice President Joe Biden, who finished off his visit by again criticizing Jewish construction plans in the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo.