Jerusalem approves major U.S. embassy expansion
Local authority backs building permits to enlarge the size of the American embassy's building of 7,500 square feet to 3,700 square feet
The Jerusalem municipality approved building permits to enlarge the size of the U.S. embassy, which relocated to the Israeli capital on May 14.
The plans, reported by Hadashot TV news on Thursday, include an expansion of office space, creation of new entrances, and additional areas for providing services to the public, Times of Israel reported based on the television item.
In total, the council approved an expansion of 7,500 square feet — 3,700 square feet below ground and the rest enlarging the existing second floor.
The expansion will allow more staff and services to be transferred from the former Tel Aviv embassy to the compound in the capital, the report said.
An official from the Jerusalem municipality said that it was only the first stage in the planned expansion at the embassy site.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat welcomed the expansion.
“The permits that I signed yesterday for the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem are another stage in establishing and setting the role of the embassy in Israel’s capital,” he said.
In order to quickly open the embassy in time for Israel’s 70th anniversary, the existing consulate was repurposed, pending planning and construction of a new embassy, a long-term project, according to the U.S. State Department.
“We’re going to have it built very quickly and inexpensively,” Trump told reporters in March following his decision months earlier to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy there.
The Trump administration has not announced when it plans to begin construction on a permanent embassy.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.