Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Israel is planning to expand Seven Arches Hotel on the Mount of Olives, a hotel owned by the Jordanian royal family, a move which 'demands' coordination with Jordan government, Haaretz Israeli newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Documents obtained by Haaretz indicate that in May the Israeli custodian allowed Architects to begin promoting a significant expansion of the hotel, from 12,000 square meters to more than 20,000, adding 45 rooms in the north wing, 30 rooms in the south wing, a conference hall and a swimming pool.

Haaretz reported that the plan notes to build the hotel, the Jordanian government 'expropriated' public land in 1962, and the site is not included in the general Jerusalem outline plan. In 1994, a detailed plan for the site, prepared by the Absentee Property Custodian, was approved but never implemented and became void three years later.

Journals published by Israeli right-wing organizations reported that non-profits who have obtained assets in the Holy Basin have begun showing great interest in the hotel.

The hotel, a main building with seven arches and two wings connected to it by colonnades, was planned by American architect William Tabler and was operated originally by the international Intercontinental chain. In the 1960s, it was considered the most luxurious hotel in Jerusalem, and in 1964, it hosted the founding conference of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Israeli Custodian of Absentee Property is officially responsible for the hotel's financial management and maintenance.

The Israeli treasury spokesperson told Haaretz that neither the( Israeli) custodian nor his administration has submitted any request for expansion. "If you (Haaretz) have received such a letter, we would be glad to receive a copy to investigate," . However, no further comment was received from the treasury .

* Mount of Olives photo.