French firm pulls out of Jerusalem cable car project
Suez Environnement says decision was made to 'avoid any political interpretation'
France-based utility giant Suez Environnement said Wednesday that, because of political sensitivities, it has decided not to take part in a cable car project linking West Jerusalem to East Jerusalem.
The project, run by the Jerusalem city council, has stoked controversy over the Israeli cable car’s planned route, which passes through parts of East Jerusalem.
“To avoid any political interpretation, Suez Environnement has decided not to take part in this project,” it said.
Suez said its involvement in the project was limited to a feasibility study carried out by engineering firm SAFEGE, one of its subsidiaries.
“SAFEGE fulfilled a contract for Jerusalem municipality between June and November 2013, carrying out a feasibility study, from a technical perspective, on a public cable car system in Jerusalem,” it said.