TEL AVIV – Israel on Thursday rejected U.S. criticism of reports that Israelis have moved into an Arab area of East Jerusalem and a new settlement is planned there as well.
Mayor of Jerusalem , Nir Barkat said that Israel would keep promoting much-needed new apartments for young families within its self-drawn city limits.
It would not tell Jews or Arabs where to build or buy homes within those boundaries.
“Restricting races to certain areas would be unconstitutional in any democracy.
“I would be happy for peace but without dividing the city,’’ Barkat said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a briefing on Wednesday in New York with reporters who accompanied him on a trip to the U.S., said he did not understand the criticism.
White House spokesman, Josh Earnest said the U.S. was deeply concerned by reports that Jews had moved into seven apartment buildings in the heart of an Arab area of East Jerusalem. [eap_ad_1] Earnest said the report also include that Israel was advancing a plan to build a new settlement on southern East Jerusalem land.
“This step is contrary to Israel’s stated goal of negotiating a permanent status agreement with the Palestinians,’’ Earnest noted.
He warned the development would distance Israel from even its closest allies.
A plan to build 2,610 housing units in Givat Hamatos passed a final stage of approval last week in Jerusalem’s planning committee with the publication of an official announcement of the project as valid.
The public notice is the last step before tenders may be issued and construction may start.
“Givat Hamatos will be a new neighbourhood of Jerusalem,’’ Israel said. (dpa/NAN)
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