Monarch reacts to plan for 1,100 hotel rooms in Givat Hamatos neighborhood

Jordan’s King Abdullah criticized Israel on Wednesday for plans to build some 1,100 hotel rooms in the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Matos, Israel Radio reported.

Abdullah warned Israel, according to the report, that its policy of taking unilateral steps in Palestinian-claimed land would increase tensions and destabilize the region.

A day earlier, the Palestinian Authority and left-wing group Peace Now criticized the announcement by Jerusalem’s City Hall of the hotel plans.

The municipality had already approved the construction of 2,610 housing units in Givat Hamatos, which is located between the neighborhoods of Talpiot, Beit Safafa and Gilo, and another plan to build an additional 1,400 housing units is currently awaiting final approval.

On Monday, the city submitted its plans for the hotel rooms to the Planning and Building Committee. The rooms are to be built in an existing delapidated building, Israel Radio said.

Palestinian sources said approval of the project undermined the government’s claims of being committed to a viable two-state solution. (© 2012 THE TIMES OF ISRAEL 05/02/12)