’Israel’ Okays Archaeology Project in Occupied Al-Quds, to Punish PA

Local Editor

"Israel" approved an archaeology project in east al-Quds, the so-called "interior ministry" said Friday, in a move likely to compound tensions threatening to scupper talks with the Palestinian Authority.

The ministry heard objections from Palestinians and residents to plans to build a visitor's center just outside al-Quds Old City walls in the neighborhood of Silwan, it said in a statement.

However, it granted approval to the project on grounds that it "will show important archaeological discoveries to the public".
"This comes as "Israel" is considering retaliatory measures against the Palestinians in response to their renewed drive for international recognition of the state," "Israeli" media reported on Friday.

"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and War Minister Moshe Yaalon have asked the head of the "Israeli" military administration in the occupied West Bank, General Yoav Mordechai, to draw up a range of options, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Haaretz said the options under consideration included withholding tax revenues levied by "Israel" on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
"Israel" briefly imposed the same financially crippling measure in December 2012 to punish the Palestinians' successful drive for observer state status at the United Nations, over its own strong opposition and that of Washington.

"Other options under consideration include tightening the restrictions imposed on Palestinian activities in the more than 60 percent of the West Bank which is under the sole control of the "Israeli" army," Haaretz said.

The Knesset is to meet on Monday to debate the crisis in the talks, said the "Israel" Hayom newspaper, which is considered close to Netanyahu.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team