Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement Tuesday responding to criticism by the United States over Israel’s plan to build 1,300 new homes in East Jerusalem, emphasizing that Israel is doing nothing to harm the peace process.

“Jerusalem is not a settlement; Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel.  Israel has never accepted upon itself restrictions of any kind on construction in Jerusalem, which has approximately 800,000 residents, including during the ten months in which construction was suspended in Judea and Samaria.
 
Israel sees no connection between the diplomatic process and planning and building policy in Jerusalem, which has not changed in 40 years.  All Israeli governments in the past 40 years have built in all parts of the city.  During this period, peace agreements were signed with Egypt and Jordan, and for 17 years, diplomatic negotiations have been conducted with the Palestinians.  These are historical facts.  Construction in Jerusalem has never hindered the peace process.
 
The disagreements with the US over Jerusalem are well-known.  They are not new and have continued for 40 years.  We hope to overcome them and continue to advance the diplomatic negotiations.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking forward to his planned Thursday meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in order to advance the peace talks.”

The above statement was referring to a temporary moratorium on construction in West Bank settlements declared by Netanyahu last November. The moratorium expired late last month, bringing recently renewed direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians to a halt.

Earlier Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama warned that Israel’s new building plan could obstruct the peace process.

“This kind of activity is never helpful when it comes to peace negotiations,” said Obama, adding that he was concerned Israel and Palestinian were not making enough of an effort to advance peace negotiations.

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(YWN Israel Desk)