Five controversial Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem

The past decade has seen a significant expansion of Jewish areas in the Arab neighborhoods closest to the Old City, which could affect how the city is divided – or prevent it from being divided at all. Here is a list of five of the most controversial developments of Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.

Al Tur

Beit Orot (which translates to House of Lights) was the first Jewish settlement inside an Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Located in the Arab neighborhood of Al Tur on the northern edge of the Mount of Olives, Beit Orot includes a yeshiva that combines religious study with military service and houses several families and several dozen yeshiva students.

The project is carried out by Ateret Cohanim, an organization that has helped hundreds of Jews move into areas of East Jerusalem and the Old City – thanks in part to the financial backing of American millionaire Irving Moscowitz.

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