The Israeli  Ministry of Construction and Housing and the municipality of Ma’aleh Adumim settlement, located on the land of the Palestinian citizens in the towns of Eizariya and Abu Dis towns, southeast of Jerusalem, three days ago signed an agreement to build approximately 20,000 housing units in the settlement.

The budget for the development and infrastructure of this settlement project is NIS 2.8 billion and a budget of NIS 190 million has been earmarked for the restoration of older buildings.

According to the daily Israel Hayom, the construction will start after getting the approval of the government, and new housing units will be established, in addition to public and educational institutions; schools, kindergartens, public centers and sports halls.

For his part, the Israeli Minister of Housing and Construction, Yoav Galant, described the project as “comprehensive, and will lead to the development and increase of the population in Maale Adumim significantly.”

“We have to continue to deepen [Israeli] control in the Jerusalem area, from Ma’aleh Adumim in the east to the settlement of Givat Ze’ev to the west, from Atarot in the north to the Bethlehem area, Rachel’s Tomb, Efrat and Gush Etzion, on historical, strategic, and national levels. ”

He added that the West Bank settlements are “not negotiable property in terms of the security vision against the threats from the east, some of which are expected or unknown, and we must continue to maintain full control over Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley. ”

According to the agreement, during the years 2018 and 2025 will be marketed residential and commercial units in 15 sites in the settlement “Maale Adumim”.