Government Plan to Build ‘satellite City’ Under Fire Politically, Aesthetically

The government’s plan to build a so-called “satellite city” in the former Jordanian sector east of Jerusalem has come under heavy fire from both Israeli and Arab quarters. The master plan was denounced for aesthetic reasons today by a spokesman for the Jerusalem landscape improvement council who charged the government with high-handed methods. Earlier, the East Jerusalem Moslem Council issued a statement accusing Israeli authorities of trying “to obliterate the Arab character of Jerusalem.” The Council, which is composed of about 40 politicians, most of them once part of the Jordanian administration, was sharply rebuked by the Jerusalem police commandant for using “intemperate and inflammatory language.” The government’s plan calls for the construction of an arc of Jewish suburbs around the eastern half of Jerusalem, eventually to house a population of about 200,000. The plans include the construction of high-rise apartment houses. Yehuda Ezrachi, an author and play-wright who spoke for the landscape improvement council charged the Housing Ministry with concealing its building plans from the public and “deceiving the public.” He said its methods might be justified on political grounds and the need to populate underdeveloped areas but that construction which would “disfigure Jerusalem’s unique beauty” could not be justified.

Ezrachi demanded on behalf of his group that the government end its secrecy, cancel plans for high rise buildings where they would interfere with the view of the Old City and maintain ancient buildings. He urged that future planning sessions be held in public and the plans be exhibited in public halls. The master plan for East Jerusalem was sharply criticized recently by a distinguished panel of international architects which was set up as a consulting body. Many City Council members agreed with their opinion that the plans would alter the timeless character of ancient Jerusalem. The Moslem Council characterized the plans as one of “the crimes of the occupying authorities.” The Arab criticism was clearly political. But many Israelis within and outside of the City Council as well as friendly observers abroad, have expressed concern over the political implications of the entire project. Israeli leaders have made no secret of their intention to create “facts” that would permanently consolidate Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem, an area of which the old walled city represents only a tiny segment. Opponents of the plan believe that such fait accompli should not be undertaken at a time when Israel is engaged in peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations.

Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem, has withdrawn part of the plan for review by a committee of architects. Kollek however is less than enthusiastic over the project which would create a suburb of Jerusalem largely dependant on the city but not under the control of the Jerusalem Municipality. The forceful rebuke to the Moslem Council by the police chief reflected concern that the Council may finally have come upon an issue that will arouse the sentiments of other East Jerusalem Arabs. The Moslem Council is a self-appointed secular body set up after the Six-Day War to represent Arabs in the occupied zone. It was never recognized by Israeli authorities but is tolerated by them although the Council has never concealed its extremist anti-Israel views. West Bank Arabs by and large do not recognize the Council as their representative and maintain liaison with Israeli authorities through their respective mayors and the military governors. In East Jerusalem too, the extent of the Council’s authority is questionable but so far it has not been challenged.

Leib Khanokh, a Soviet Riga Jew, who was reported in yesterday’s JTA News Bulletin as awaiting trial, was actually one of the Leningrad 11 who was sentenced last month to 13 years in prison.