Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JERUSALEM502
2009-03-20 15:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
MUGHRABI GATE PLANS ONE STEP CLOSER TO APPROVAL
how-toVZCZCXRO5600 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #0502 0791536 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201536Z MAR 09 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4427 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 4429 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000502
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL
JCS FOR LTGEN SELVA
PARIS FOR US MISSION TO UNESCO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: IS KPAL PGOV PHUM PREL PTER
SUBJECT: MUGHRABI GATE PLANS ONE STEP CLOSER TO APPROVAL
REF: A. 08 JERUSALEM 1616
B. 08 JERUSALEM 792
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000502
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL
JCS FOR LTGEN SELVA
PARIS FOR US MISSION TO UNESCO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: IS KPAL PGOV PHUM PREL PTER
SUBJECT: MUGHRABI GATE PLANS ONE STEP CLOSER TO APPROVAL
REF: A. 08 JERUSALEM 1616
B. 08 JERUSALEM 792
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. A senior Jerusalem municipal planning
official said that the Israeli National Planning Committee
has approved the District Committee's recommendation for
plans for the Mughrabi Gate ramp, bringing the ramp one step
closer to construction. She said the final steps of the
process could take up to six months, longer if the plan is
challenged in court. End Summary.
2. (C) The Israeli National Planning Committee has approved
the Jerusalem District Committee's plan for the Mughrabi Gate
ramp, according to Osnat Post, head of Jerusalem's Municipal
Planning Division. Post told PolOff March 19 that this
brings the ramp one step closer to construction. In its
decision, she said, the National Committee allowed for some
flexibility regarding the height of the ramp and insisted
that supporting columns be placed to minimize damage to the
archeological remains under the ramp. Both of these
recommendations are intended to encourage ramp planners to
consult with UNESCO before proceeding, she said. (Note: The
original plan envisioned a significantly longer ramp,
included Jewish prayer areas in Ottoman ruins, and paid
little attention to other archeological remains. The
District Committee in 2008 approved a revised plan that
shortened the ramp, removed prayer areas, and encouraged the
preservation of ruins from all historical periods. The
National Committee endorsed the revised plan, but granted
some flexibility in the height of the ramp and specified that
ramp construction should not damage existing ruins. End
note.)
3. (C) Post said that the planners are working cautiously
and professionally to move this project forward, but actual
ramp construction is still several months away. She said the
next steps include redrafting the blueprints, publishing the
final plan, obtaining police approval, and applying for
permits. These steps could take two to six months, according
to Post. She said she expects someone to take the issue to
court, which could drag the process out longer.
4. (C) Comment: When this decision becomes public, it is
likely to further enflame Palestinian public opinion, already
worked up about home demolitions and settlement expansion.
Reaction in Jordan and the wider Muslim world is also likely
to be very negative.
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL
JCS FOR LTGEN SELVA
PARIS FOR US MISSION TO UNESCO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: IS KPAL PGOV PHUM PREL PTER
SUBJECT: MUGHRABI GATE PLANS ONE STEP CLOSER TO APPROVAL
REF: A. 08 JERUSALEM 1616
B. 08 JERUSALEM 792
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. A senior Jerusalem municipal planning
official said that the Israeli National Planning Committee
has approved the District Committee's recommendation for
plans for the Mughrabi Gate ramp, bringing the ramp one step
closer to construction. She said the final steps of the
process could take up to six months, longer if the plan is
challenged in court. End Summary.
2. (C) The Israeli National Planning Committee has approved
the Jerusalem District Committee's plan for the Mughrabi Gate
ramp, according to Osnat Post, head of Jerusalem's Municipal
Planning Division. Post told PolOff March 19 that this
brings the ramp one step closer to construction. In its
decision, she said, the National Committee allowed for some
flexibility regarding the height of the ramp and insisted
that supporting columns be placed to minimize damage to the
archeological remains under the ramp. Both of these
recommendations are intended to encourage ramp planners to
consult with UNESCO before proceeding, she said. (Note: The
original plan envisioned a significantly longer ramp,
included Jewish prayer areas in Ottoman ruins, and paid
little attention to other archeological remains. The
District Committee in 2008 approved a revised plan that
shortened the ramp, removed prayer areas, and encouraged the
preservation of ruins from all historical periods. The
National Committee endorsed the revised plan, but granted
some flexibility in the height of the ramp and specified that
ramp construction should not damage existing ruins. End
note.)
3. (C) Post said that the planners are working cautiously
and professionally to move this project forward, but actual
ramp construction is still several months away. She said the
next steps include redrafting the blueprints, publishing the
final plan, obtaining police approval, and applying for
permits. These steps could take two to six months, according
to Post. She said she expects someone to take the issue to
court, which could drag the process out longer.
4. (C) Comment: When this decision becomes public, it is
likely to further enflame Palestinian public opinion, already
worked up about home demolitions and settlement expansion.
Reaction in Jordan and the wider Muslim world is also likely
to be very negative.
WALLES