Mark Regev, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, announced on Sunday that it is clear to all concerned that Jewish areas of the capital will remain in Israel’s hands, signaling the government is not determined to hold onto other areas of the Yerushalayim, i.e. so-called Arab neighborhoods.

Regev added that despite objections from the White House, as expressed by visiting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, ongoing construction in Jewish areas of Yerushalayim do not represent a lack of commitment by Israel towards peace with her neighbors.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)