The experts connect this decision with inauguration of a new President of the USA, Donald Trump.
According to Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat, during a tenure of Barack Obama, he put pressure on Israel to freeze the construction, that is why the last decade was “difficult”. Meanwhile, Nir Barkat expressed hope that “a new era” started and the Israeli authorities would have possibilities to go on with the development of Jerusalem.
The Mayor stressed that both, Jews and Arabs, would benefit from the construction. In particular, out of the 671 homes approved, 105 were intended for Arab neighborhoods.