Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced during a press conference on Thursday that the timing of the release of the Ramat Shlomo construction was indeed poor, resulting in the diplomatic row with the United States. The senior minister explained that government leaders realized the error, and therefore apologized and acted appropriately.

He quickly added that what is unacceptable however is the fact that the international community was on hand to jump down Israel’s throat to condemn construction in the eastern capital. He explained that in recent meetings with senior officials, he pointed out that if Israel were to prohibit Arabs from renting or buying property in the western capital, the world would accuse Israel of apartheid policies. “The symmetry is simply unacceptable” he concluded, standing firm regarding Israel’s right to continue building in the capital.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)