Professors for a Strong Israel

Statement to the Press - 5 June 1998

Re: The sacrifice of green breathing space

Professors for a Strong Israel feels that the Government's decision to enable the westward expansion of Jerusalem ignores the preferability of expanding Jerusalem in more natural directions -- eastward, towards Ma'aleh Adumim, and southward, towards Har Homa. This step constitutes not just the destruction of the green spaces to the city's west, but also the sacrifice of its eastern suburbs on the altar of the false peace.

Territorial continuity from Jerusalem to Ma'aleh Adumim is essential for planning and ecological reasons, as well as for national security. We expect the Green organizations to rise above wrong-headed political considerations and to support the eastward development of Jerusalem. Thus may be saved the great green "breathing spaces" of the city -- the Jerusalem Forest, Arazim Valley, Refaim Valley, and more -- that will be destroyed as the city grows to the west.

Dr. Ron Breiman, Spokesman
Tel: 03-642 5540
Pager: 03-610 6666 / 28345