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(Photo by Rina Castelnuovo for The New York Times.)

Last week, we read in The New York Times that “Israel is quietly carrying out a $100 million, multiyear development plan in some of the most significant religious and national heritage sites just outside the walled Old City here as part of an effort to strengthen the status of Jerusalem as its capital.”

As part of the plan, garbage dumps and wastelands are being cleared and turned into lush gardens and parks, now already accessible to visitors who can walk along new footpaths and take in the majestic views, along with new signs and displays that point out significant points of Jewish history.

To be intentionally obvious and understated, the plan is controversial.

(This is the second in a series of five time-saver nanoposts of somewhat related items.)