Fifth Foreign Firm Withdraws From Controversial Jerusalem Cable Car

Published 1d ago · Latest report 1h ago · Political dispute

Affects Israel · Covered in 2 countries

AI summary44s readNegative

An Italian firm becomes the fifth foreign company to drop out of the disputed Jerusalem cable car project.

An Italian engineering company has withdrawn from a disputed cable car project linking West and East Jerusalem, marking the fifth foreign firm to abandon the scheme. Rights groups warn the 1.4-kilometer route will displace Palestinian families and alter the historic landscape. Despite these departures and ongoing legal hurdles, local authorities maintain that development will proceed.

The reasonThe withdrawing Italian firm cited heavy workload as the cause for its departure from the initiative.
The routeThe planned transit line spans 1.4 kilometers and terminates at a compound managed by a far-right settler organisation.
The backgroundIsrael's Supreme Court dismissed legal challenges against the infrastructure plan in 2022.

Why it matters

The cable car project has drawn fierce international criticism because its route passes through disputed territory in East Jerusalem. Opponents argue it serves political settlement aims rather than public transportation needs, highlighting tensions over urban planning in the region.

Timeline2

2022The Supreme Court rejected legal challenges seeking to block the cable car project.
Oct 19An Italian firm withdrew from the planned cable car initiative.

By the numbers2

1.4 kmcable car route length

5foreign companies withdrawn

How outlets cover it

What outlets agree on

Five foreign companies have now pulled out of the Jerusalem cable car project, which faces local and international criticism over its East Jerusalem route.

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