Israel rules out freeze on east Jerusalem building |
Agence France Presse |
TEL AVIV: Israel on Wednesday ruled out a freeze on the building of new settler homes in east Jerusalem, defying world powers who have warned the issue risks wrecking peace talks. "There has never been a freeze on construction in Jerusalem and there never will be such a freeze - that has been the policy of Israeli governments for 40 years," cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser told public radio. Israel on Monday unveiled plans to build 1,300 settler homes in east Jerusalem during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's five-day trip to the United States to discuss a revival of direct peace talks with the Palestinians. "It is inconceivable that there would be limitations on construction in areas where some 300,000 residents live," said Hauser, referring to around 10 Israeli settlement neighbourhoods located in occupied east Jerusalem. Peace talks have been on hold since late September when a 10-month Israeli moratorium on West Bank settlement construction expired, with the Palestinians refusing to talk until the ban is re-imposed. Although the building freeze did not apply to east Jerusalem districts like Har Homa, Netanyahu had quietly held off approving projects there to avoid the political fallout. "Construction will continue in Jerusalem just as it continues in Tel Aviv," said Hauser, who is also one of Netanyahu's spokesmen. "The fact that we are building in Jerusalem has never stood in the way when there has been a real, sincere desire to make peace and reach agreements with Jordan, Egypt or the Palestinians," he added. |
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