A few surveyors and four bulldozers arrived at the site at 2:30 pm local time. The international press is currently broadcasting live coverage of the beginning of construction. The IDF is on its highest stage of alert in the Territories.
Surveying of the East Jerusalem Har Homa construction site began at 2:30 pm local time today. A few surveyors and four bulldozers arrived at the construction site. The international media is broadcasting the beginning of construction live.
Palestinians have set up seven protest tents on the designated construction site and are refusing to vacate them at this stage. They say they will confront Israeli soldiers using peaceful means if the soldiers attempt to remove them from the sit-in.
The Israeli Defense Forces continue to be on high alert for the possibility of a violent Palestinian reaction to commencement of construction at Har Homa. Large military forces have been deployed in the Territories and along the borders between Israel and the Territories. Military sources emphasized there will be immediate military response to riots.
Yesterday Egypt and Jordan pressured Palestinian Authority Chair Yasser Arafat to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the beginning of construction. Arafat refused.