Committee approves construction of three new Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem - Haaretz - Israel News: "Jerusalem's Planning and Construction Committee has approved a plan to build three new Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.
According to the committee's chairman, Deputy Mayor Yehoshua Pollak, the plan is intended to create continuity between Jerusalem and the Etzion settlement bloc south of the city, and between Jerusalem and the Beit-El area settlements north of the city.
The committee approved the plan roughly 10 days ago. The decision states that due to the National Planning and Construction Committee's decision to reject the Safdie Plan for expanding Jerusalem westward, 'the committee sees fit to announce its intention to change the district outline plan in order to allow construction in additional areas of the city: Walaja, Givat Alona, the Atarot airport area, and more.'"