Nof Zion will offer a gated community, a synagogue and a view of historic Jerusalem in a “harmonious residential neighborhood,” promotional materials say.
By Joshua Mitnick
As Israelis and Palestinians resume negotiations on Jerusalem for the first time in seven years, a new Jews-only neighborhood in the Arab half of the city is slated to begin filling up.
Developers of Nof Zion, luxury condominiums whose Hebrew name means “Zion View” after its panorama of historic Jerusalem, plan to distribute keys soon in the completed 91-unit first phase of a real estate project in the heart of the Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber.
Dividing sovereignty in Jerusalem according to Jewish and Arab neighborhoods is considered one of the most delicate “core” issues of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.Promotional material for the project, targeting Jewish Americans, promises a gated community, a synagogue, a hotel, public gardens, a country club and a “harmonious residential neighborhood.”
Israel’s green light for new building in the contested East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa has become a lightning rod for Palestinian complaints that the Israelis are prejudging final status negotiations on Jerusalem.
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