Sheikh Jarah neighborhod
Sheikh Jarah neighborhodKobi Gideon/Flash90

The state has come out against the establishment of an Arab middle school in the Wadi Jarah neighborhood of northeastern Jerusalem, after the local construction council had approved the building plans.

The reason given for the rejection of the plans is that the school would lie too close to the Border Police base that is also in the neighborhood.

In documents that were published by Army Radio, the state explained the reasoning behind the decision: "The plan lies in close proximity to a national security infrastructure building, and it only increases the likelihood of an attack being perpetrated at the base. The building will be a potential threat to the border police base and on the officers inside."  

Acting Jerusalem Mayor Meir Turgeman said that "there is a suspicion that the children in the school will attempt to cause harm in one way or another to the soldiers of the Border Police in their base, which has been there for many years. We in the city are looking into the matter."

Due to the opposition to the program, construction on the school will likely not take place despite the school having already received initial permits. The local planning and construction committee will hold a meeting later on Wednesday regarding the issue.