Armon HaNatziv: A Case of Eroding Israeli Sovereignty Author: Regavim Movement After the 1967 Six Day War, Israel granted the UN a compound in Armon HaNatziv, in southern Jerusalem, to allow UNTSO personnel to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and its neighbors. The UN doesn’t own the property and doesn’t pay rent. By all accounts, the UN must obey municipal regulations and Israel’s planning and construction laws. Over 3 years ago, we identified illegal building projects within the compound, including: a multi-story office building, a storage facility, and a petrol station. In the hearing of Regavim’s petition in the Jerusalem District Court in November 2017, the State claimed it would carry out ‘diplomatic discussions’ with UN representatives on the matter. How long did these ‘discussions’ take place? Almost 3 years! Last week, the State’s representatives notified the court that this process had reached a successful conclusion. The sides agreed that all future construction work at the site will be “consonant with Israel’s Planning and Construction Code, and will be carried out according to mutually acceptable parameters”. In addition, the government’s attorney said its inspectors had studied plans and other documentation for construction work already initiated or completed at the site, and found the documentation “satisfactory”. Anything to prevent the law from being enforced against the United Nations. Anything to refrain from tearing down illegal UN structures in Israel’s capital. Regavim will continue to pursue this matter in court. We will not succumb to a challenge posed by an organization that acts consistently against Israeli sovereignty on every possible front. Regardless of how our government behaves, and despite the UN’s complete disregard for Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, we and millions of others around the world know: Jerusalem is the eternal and undivided capital of the State of Israel. This statement is not merely declarative; it has practical repercussions, too. Source: Regavim's Facebook page