The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee is set to review a major proposal for a new neighborhood in Atarot, located in north-northwestern Jerusalem. The plan envisions up to 9,000 housing units for over 30,000 residents, with the potential to reach 50,000, making it one of the largest residential projects in the city's history. Atarot, once home to a British airport and later an industrial zone, has long been considered a strategic area for securing Jerusalem's northern gateway. The neighborhood is designed primarily for the haredi community and aims to solidify Israeli sovereignty over the area, countering pressures for the creation of a Palestinian state.

The proposal has faced delays in the past due to international pressure and local opposition, with critics arguing that it prioritizes Jewish settlement over improving living conditions for nearby Arab communities. Supporters, however, emphasize the importance of residential development in Atarot to prevent the division of Jerusalem and to ensure continued Jewish access from the north. The current plan includes provisions for employment and municipal services, aiming to boost the city's socio-economic development while reinforcing its demographic and strategic interests.