The chances to stop the construction of Givat Hamatos have now been reduced. Still, it is possible - though admittedly more difficult - to demand that the Israeli government still stop the process and refrain from creating a new settlement in one of the most strategic locations in East Jerusalem. Even if the ILA signs a contract with the winning contractors, the agreement can be revoked and the contractors compensated. Precedents from other cases of tender cancellation show that such compensation is awarded for the expenses the contractors incurred and not for the much larger loss of potential income from apartment sales.
With the announcement of the winners, there are several more preliminary steps that need to happen before actual construction can begin. A 90-day period is allocated for signing the contracts between the ILA and the contractors. Then, the contractors need to request building permits which the Local Planning Committee at the Jerusalem Municipality needs to approve. The full process within the Municipality involves several more stages with payment of fees and acquiring approvals from the Jerusalem Municipality’s Planning Department.
While these measures are considered technical and straightforward, they still leave a period of time – at least several months - during which demands to block construction can continue.
Furthermore, infrastructure construction needs to take place prior to the construction of the residential units themselves. |