Israeli plan to develop areas met with caution

A landmark half-billiondollar Israeli plan to develop Palestinian areas of east Jerusalem and hoist residents out of poverty is getting a cool reception from the very people who are supposed to benefit.

Israel says it hopes that the programme will improve living conditions in impoverished Palestinian areas and grant residents access to Israel’s robust economy.

But the city’s longneglected Palestinian community views the project with deep scepticism and mistrust, fearing it is a way of cementing Israel’s control over the eastern sector after more than 50 years of occupation.

“All these projects have nothing to do with improving our lives,” said Ziad Hammoury, who heads the Jerusalem Centre for Social and Economic Rights, an advocacy group.