Al-Quds airport has not existed in Atarot since 1967. The Israeli Atarot airport which handled local Israeli flights closed in 200 because of Arab terrorist attacks. Since then a thriving business and commercial sector has grown in Atarot. Tall buildings have been built in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem area which prevent a clear guide path into an Atarot airport. More importantly Atarot airport has been designated for the building of 9,000 living units for Israelis, which are badly needed in the Jerusalem area. The redevelopment will also seen green space, entertainment and public spaces and new commercial development. In other words the land will be put to the highest use. Locating an airport in Atarot is far from a priority.
Mohammad Shtayyeh knows that there is zero chance of Atarot airport being reopened and less than zero of a chance of a Palestinian international airport building there. Shtayyeh only raises the impossibility of the airport to excuse his government’s opposition to Palestinians being offered an option to fly out of Ramon Airport near Eilat instead of Jordan.
Atarot was a Jewish settlement when the British mandate took part of its land for an airport. The Jews who lived in Atarot were ethnically cleansed form their homes by Jordan in 1948. Jordan occupied the area and operated an airport. In 1967 Israel liberated Atarot and all of Judea and Samaria. This area will be redeveloped for Israeli citizens and for the benefit of Jerusalem.
BTW it was interesting to note that another Palestinian official says there is no difference between the West Bankers and Jordan. Memo:
“The Palestinian official added that, “We and Jordan are one party, one team and one goal, and our goal is the safety of Jordan and the welfare of its people.”
What he is saying is that Jordan is Palestine. More Palestinians live in Jordan than in the West Bank or Gaza put together. the Palestinians in the West Bank should go live in their country in Jordan.
