Jerusalem: Israeli authorities have initiated the construction of Road 45 north of occupied Jerusalem, a project aimed at linking settlements north of Jerusalem and east of Ramallah to the city. The move is part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over the surrounding areas.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Jerusalem Governorate reported that the road will stretch from the town of Mikhmas in the east to the Qalandiya Tunnel in the west, eventually connecting with Road 443. The initial phase of the road is expected to be around five kilometers long and is part of a network designed to alter the landscape around occupied Jerusalem.
The Governorate further explained that this project is intended to facilitate the movement of colonists, directly linking settlement blocs north of Jerusalem and east of Ramallah to Jerusalem and the 1948 territories. This is anticipated to promote settlement expansion and attract more colonists to the areas around Jerusalem, changing the geographical and demographic character of the region.
It was emphasized that the road is a key element in isolating occupied Jerusalem from Palestinian areas and severing the geographical link between the northern and central West Bank. This action is seen as part of the Greater Jerusalem plan, imposing permanent colonial realities that support the annexation initiative and solidify Israeli control over the city and its surroundings.
To facilitate the road's construction, approximately 280 dunams of Palestinian-owned land from the towns of Mikhmas, Jaba', Al-Ram, and Kafr Aqab have been seized under military orders, despite local objections. The project is estimated to cost around 400 million shekels.
