An Israeli planning commission has approved the controversial construction of a Jewish biblical park in an Arab neighbourhood of east Jerusalem.

A statement by the Interior Ministry said that the planning and construction commission of Jerusalem gave the go-ahead for the establishment of a 5,000-square-metre tourist complex in Silwan, a move that will likely further raise tensions in the flashpoint neighbourhood.

It will be part of a project called King’s Garden, which will also comprise exhibit halls of archaeological remains, conference rooms, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop.

The site is located just below Jerusalem’s walled Old City.