Judaisation of Jaffa continues

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper has reported that a settlement group has started to plan a construction project in the city of Jaffa that will cater exclusively for Jews. The project is part of the group’s efforts to Judaise the traditionally Arab city.

The group intends to build 12 housing units in Yefet Street in Old Jaffa. The contractor, Yaakov Hyman, told Haaretz that he seeks to change Jaffa into a Jewish city, saying that every Jew who buys a house in Jaffa contributes to the Judaisation process.

The scheme has been named “The pearl of Jaffa” and has been publicised within the religious-Zionist community. Those who are interested in the project have been promised discounted rates to buy the units.

Hyman lives in Jerusalem. Before that he lived in the settlement of Itamar and he adopts Judaisation projects in various areas. He and the investors behind the project are affiliated to the national religious stream. The developers hope that residents in the new housing will be religiously conservative Jews.