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Last update - 04:05 20/07/2009
'No difference to U.S. between outpost, East Jerusalem construction'
By Akiva Eldar, Barak Ravid and Jack Khoury
Tags: israel news 

The United States views East Jerusalem as no different than an illegal West Bank outpost with regard to its demand for a freeze on settlement construction, American sources have informed both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

This clarification came in the context of a growing crisis in U.S.-Israel relations over the planned construction of some 20 apartments for Jews in the Shepherd Hotel, in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The U.S. has demanded that the project be halted, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet meeting Sunday that "Israel will not agree to edicts of this kind in East Jerusalem."

"United Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people in the State of Israel, and our sovereignty over the city is not subject to appeal," he continued. "Our policy is that Jerusalem residents can purchase apartments anywhere in the city. This has been the policy of all Israeli governments. There is no ban on Arabs buying apartments in the west of the city, and there is no ban on Jews building or buying in the city's east. This is the policy of an open city."
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Saying that Israel could not accept Jews being forbidden to live in anywhere in Jerusalem, Netanyahu added: "I can imagine what would happen if someone proposed that Jews could not live or buy in certain neighborhoods of London, New York, Paris or Rome. A huge international outcry would surely ensue. It is even more impossible to agree to such an edict in East Jerusalem."

Asked to comment on these remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in New Delhi, said the administration is trying to reach an agreement with Israel on settlements, and "the negotiations are intense," the Associated Press reported.

Later Sunday, Netanyahu met with his advisors to discuss Israel's response to Washington's demand.

"I was surprised by the American demand," a source present at the meeting quoted him as saying. "In my conversation with [U.S. President Barack] Obama in Washington, I told him I could not accept any restrictions on our sovereignty in Jerusalem. I told him Jerusalem is not a settlement, and there is nothing to discuss about a freeze there."

"In my previous term [as premier], I built thousands of apartments in the Har Homa neighborhood of Jerusalem, defying the entire world," Netanyahu added. "Therefore, it is clear that I will not capitulate in this case - especially when we are talking about a mere 20 apartments."

Other ministers also criticized the American stance at the cabinet meeting. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, for instance, termed it "puzzling," while Interior Minister and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai declared that "no agency in the world can stop construction in Jerusalem."

And Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin told the ministers that the PA and its security services are engaged in widespread efforts to keep Palestinians from selling land in Jerusalem to Jews. He also said that Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi of Qatar has allocated $21 million to Hamas activists to buy buildings and establish infrastructure in Jerusalem.

Washington's objections to the Shepherd Hotel project were first voiced by senior State Department officials at a meeting with Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren last Thursday, in response to a request by PA President Mahmoud Abbas. The officials complained that the construction would change the neighborhood's demographic balance and harm its Palestinian residents.

Oren responded that the land in question was privately owned, having been purchased in 1985 by American Jewish tycoon Irving Moskowitz, and the project has received all the necessary permits from the Jerusalem municipality.

Also Sunday, Abbas' bureau chief, Rafiq Husseini, said he hoped the U.S. would not back down on its demand for a complete settlement freeze, including in East Jerusalem.

In an interview with the Nazareth-based radio station A-Shams, Husseini said, "from our standpoint, there is no room for a compromise [on this issue], and we expect the American administration to stick to the determined stance that envoy [George] Mitchell expressed as far back as 2001. Any compromise that enables continued construction ... will do nothing whatsoever to advance the diplomatic process."

Related articles:
  • U.S. demand for East Jerusalem building freeze 'surprised' Netanyahu
  • Palestinian PM to U.S.: Draft new Mideast peace plan
  • Gideon Levy / Israelis aren't paying price for injustice of occupation
  • Palestinian Authority lifts ban on Al Jazeera

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      1.   Build! 03:08  |  17 20/07/09
      2.   What happen Israel say no 03:17  |  Jason 20/07/09
      3.   Bibi: Arabs Can Live in West Jerusalem. Yeah, Right! Just Try! 03:21  |  Ed 20/07/09
      4.   When has the US officially recognized 03:26  |  Mark Lincoln 20/07/09
      5.   We All Support You Bibi - Jerusalem Is Ours! 03:38  |  JM 20/07/09
      6.   East Jerusalem IS a settlement 03:44  |  dana 20/07/09
      7.   Israeli Isolation 03:46  |  Cynical American 20/07/09
      8.   Nor should there be: Both are illegal according to int`al law 04:04  |  peacelover 20/07/09
      9.   JM and the meaning of forever 04:13  |  rwr 20/07/09
      10.   Annexation of E.Jerusalem 04:26  |  Raphael 20/07/09
      11.   If I forget Thee West Jerusalem... 04:27  |  DM 20/07/09
      12.   Sheikh Jarrah 04:33  |  TV 20/07/09
      13.   Cynical American - are you moving back to Europe? 04:40  |  Joe Sittizen 20/07/09
      14.   Neiter is illegal according to international law 04:44  |  Joe Sittizen 20/07/09
      15.   Would Solomon Allot 10 Apartments to Jews... 04:53  |  Reader 20/07/09
      16.   Interesting. 04:58  |  Colin Wright 20/07/09
      17.   #2 - Ed 04:59  |  MichaelF 20/07/09
      18.   all for 20 measly apartments??!! 05:02  |  Abby 20/07/09
      19.   I am so proud of President Obama... 05:03  |  BBSNews 20/07/09
      20.   dana #5 05:05  |  norman a blumberg 20/07/09
      21.   Just Say No 05:08  |  Visitor 20/07/09
      22.   Issue is moot. Arabs already said no to peace. 05:10  |  MichaelF 20/07/09
      23.   GOOD its about time! 05:30  |  jim the mechanic 20/07/09
      24.   Insane US 05:42  |  Gianni 20/07/09
      25.   America pushed, and pushed. This time it has crossed the RED LINE 05:50  |  Amihai 20/07/09
      26.   Obama`s lack of strategic vision 05:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/07/09
      27.   Omigawd -- the US is no longer turning a blind eye! 06:15  |  George 20/07/09
      28.   Bow to Gianni`s Wisdom 06:16  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/07/09
      29.   Jerusalem, Oh Mighty Jerusalem: Future Capital of Two Countries 06:18  |  Reader 20/07/09
      30.   19 years of illegal occupation 06:19  |  Darlene Wallach 20/07/09
      31.   water Pipes and electricity; Gaza and Jerusalem 06:21  |  Marco 20/07/09
      32.   "mama,mama, our sovereignty over Jerusalem is unquestionable" 06:23  |  an unraged bystander 20/07/09
      33.   Why Would US Abandon Legal Principles? 06:24  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/07/09
      34.   East Jerusalem was conquered and occupied 06:29  |  Hannah 20/07/09
      35.   I didn`t know that Israel is the 52nd state of the US 06:39  |  fedup 20/07/09
      36.   US Aid to Israel - Total Benefits per Israeli - $14,630 07:00  |  Ice 20/07/09
      37.   Israel shape up before it is too late. 07:02  |  Tarek 20/07/09
      38.   Obama will back off! 07:08  |  US CITIZEN 20/07/09
      39.   Settlement expansion more dangerous than Irans nuclear program 07:10  |  Natallie Durson 20/07/09
      40.   Bravo, viva America returned to her senses which made her great! 07:11  |  Ivar 20/07/09
      41.   Norman # 12 - Same Old Song 07:17  |  Bill 20/07/09
      42.   A new agreement 07:17  |  howiej 20/07/09
      43.   Insane US -- #15 07:19  |  Mike 20/07/09
      44.   Increasing signs of disconnect in Israel 07:25  |  Johnboy 20/07/09
      45.   Batten down the hatches Bibi 07:30  |  Peter Williams 20/07/09
      46.   Be proud, BBS. Enjoy your brief moment. 07:32  |  Israeli citizen 20/07/09
      47.   To visitor: here it is: "no". You think your money buys all 07:40  |  Israeli citizen 20/07/09
      48.   Jerusalem should not be divided. 07:53  |  B. Gold 20/07/09
      49.   The entirety of the Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the ... 07:55  |  B. Gold 20/07/09
      50.   betrayal 07:56  |  jochai rubinstein 20/07/09
      51.   Obama should focus on America`s real estate, not Israel`s 08:16  |  Jimmy dhimmi 20/07/09
      52.   Ice #36 NOT PER YEAR, but since 1948, i. e. some 50 years... 08:20  |  S 20/07/09
      53.   Contruction Freeze in Israel `s Capital 08:25  |  Ahmad 20/07/09
      54.   General Yitzhak Rabin z"l 09:18  |  Johnny Weintraub 20/07/09
      55.   International Law 09:34  |  Jason 20/07/09
      56.   Jerusalem 09:47  |  rm 20/07/09
      57.   Jerusalem 09:53  |  rm 20/07/09
      58.   Amihai - speaking for yourself. 11:06  |  CJ 20/07/09
      59.   Dana, raphael, Hillary, and yes, Barak - Go pay rent to an Indian 11:08  |  Nani 20/07/09
      60.   Questions for Bibi 11:22  |  sh 20/07/09
      61.   Londoin, Paris, Rome and New York are not occupied territorries 11:22  |  Kris Lazar 20/07/09
      62.   Jason - ...... how bizarre 11:30  |  CJ 20/07/09
      63.   6 11:53  |  zionist forever 20/07/09
      64.   The settlements are a critical U.S. national interest. 11:57  |  Analyst Jack 20/07/09
      65.   Looking for a house in West Jerusalem 12:02  |  Abu Sharif 20/07/09
      66.   The "special relationship" is hitting the skids... 12:03  |  jerry 20/07/09
      67.   To #52 Respect for rule of law 12:07  |  Brendan 20/07/09
      68.   DANA (#6) East Jerusalem belongs to Israel 12:16  |  Gil 20/07/09
      69.   Jerusalem More Important Than "Peace" 12:18  |  Shmuel 20/07/09
      70.   UNSCR are binding #465 12:19  |  Justine Effort 20/07/09
      71.   10 12:20  |  zionist forever 20/07/09
      72.   #49 A remarkable claim, Barach 12:21  |  Johnboy 20/07/09
      73.   It is good that so many Israelis are mad at America 12:27  |  ZZ 20/07/09
      74.   B. Gold, what was wrong with Jean van Daem? 12:38  |  Mark B. 20/07/09
      75.   DANA (#6) East Jerusalem belongs to Israel 12:48  |  Gil 20/07/09
      76.   # 26 CJKohn 12:54  |  maoriboy 20/07/09
      77.   ABSTAIN on the next unsc vote on israeli activities... 12:56  |  eric 20/07/09
      78.   The reality looks very different 13:02  |  Chris Linthwaite 20/07/09
      79.   UNSCR are binding #465 13:05  |  Justine Effort 20/07/09
      80.   Israel reneges 13:18  |  Iain 20/07/09
      81.   Jerusalem.... a red line that can`t be crossed 13:21  |  allang 20/07/09
      82.   UNSCR 478 13:22  |  Justine Effort 20/07/09
      83.   # 62 Boy Obama isn`t so popular in the US 13:32  |  petra 20/07/09
      84.   Jerusalem 14:04  |  Iain 20/07/09
      85.   IAIN from the Scottish settlement of Iwikatea 14:14  |  PETER SM 20/07/09
      86.   MichaelF..peace process is already dead....because?? 14:16  |  CJ 20/07/09
      87.   Israel`s action promote terrorism 14:24  |  American in Paris 20/07/09
      88.   Jerusalem Should Be Shared 14:26  |  Jane 20/07/09
      89.   Anonymous "American Sources" 14:27  |  Jeff Northridge 20/07/09
      90.   Greed + Arrogance = Self Destruction 14:30  |  Observer 20/07/09
      91.   As I recall 14:45  |  Jackie 20/07/09
      92.   American in Paris, read something there, Jean-Claude Milner 14:51  |  Israeli citizen 20/07/09
      93.   B.Gold if not to be divided, then leave it to the PA 15:05  |  Ezra 20/07/09
      94.   #78: See HAMAS charter to understand how PALS UNDERSTAND 15:18  |  Vittorio 20/07/09
      95.   Building Restrictions 15:20  |  David Kass 20/07/09
      96.   Jerusalem 15:28  |  Pablo Luis 20/07/09
      97.   Reader, Jerusalem is not Nicosia! 15:39  |  Zev Davis 20/07/09
      98.   Re#19 YOU WHAT ????? 15:54  |  RME 20/07/09
      99.   Re # 88 15:58  |  RME 20/07/09
      100.   Re #84 Better to read the bible 16:02  |  RME 20/07/09
      101.   Re #13 VERY WELL SAID 16:06  |  RME 20/07/09
      102.   Re# 81 16:19  |  RME 20/07/09
      103.   G-d doesn`t need a Majority vote,who-all stands with haShem?? 16:20  |  Dina 20/07/09
      104.   OBAMA do stop the settlements in California! 16:27  |  Gil 20/07/09
      105.   UN`s law & man`s law Not Above G-d"s Laws (the Holy Bible) 16:32  |  Dina 20/07/09
      106.   CJ UNSCR 242 for you as requested 17:01  |  PETER SM 20/07/09
      107.   #77 Petra, the innumerate 17:08  |  Roo 20/07/09
      108.   Dina #100 `Not Above G-d"s Laws` 17:13  |  kofi 20/07/09
      109.   Jerusalem 17:20  |  David Simonim 20/07/09
      110.   Gil getting realy really desperate are you not 17:31  |  raphael 20/07/09
      111.   Gil getting realy really desperate are you not 17:32  |  raphael 20/07/09
      112.   #78 JUSTINE EFFORT AND 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING 17:39  |  antislogan 20/07/09
      113.   Vittorio - The Hamas Charter is a result of Israeli aggression. 17:39  |  CJ 20/07/09
      114.   #36 Ice/Learn How to Read 17:46  |  Carl 20/07/09
      115.   Illegal Settlements... 17:54  |  Kamal Hassan 20/07/09
      116.   #79 Petra, the innumerate 17:57  |  Roo 20/07/09
      117.   #114 Numbers 20:15  |  Ice 20/07/09
      118.   #3 Ed Israeli arabs never had it so good 20:18  |  Big Sur 20/07/09
      119.   Dana #6 Sadly misinformed Jerusalem is a edwish Holy City 20:21  |  Big Sur 20/07/09
      120.   #76, mauriboy 20:24  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/07/09
      121.   Shin Bet 20:28  |  GaileeHero 20/07/09
      122.   Hey Pablo #96 Not owned by Israel owned by the Jews 20:28  |  Big Sur 20/07/09
      123.   So Israel wants to negotiate, eh? 20:33  |  binny 20/07/09
      124.   #88, Jane, it is Arabs who want to divide Jerusalem 20:34  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/07/09
      125.   If Bibi doesn`t want to negotiate Jslm, execute the Roadmap 20:38  |  binny 20/07/09
      126.   Bibi throws hot air again.. 20:43  |  David 20/07/09
      127.   Raising the Stakes 20:45  |  binny 20/07/09
      128.   #36, US "aid" to Israel. 21:04  |  David 20/07/09
      129.   #61 needs to stop with the historical revisionism 21:27  |  J 20/07/09
      130.   Big sur --are they as well off as jews in Israel 21:28  |  ronnie 20/07/09
      131.   110 Raphael Regarding Desperation. 21:31  |  BIG SUR 20/07/09
      132.   Tell America where to stick it 21:38  |  Bob 20/07/09
      133.   American bla bla bla and Israel bla bla bla 22:08  |  arik 20/07/09
      134.   Jimmy right on! 22:36  |  petra 20/07/09
      135.   Oh, Happy Little People 22:36  |  Yaakov Sullivan 20/07/09
      136.   #130 requiring a narrative guess you are upset why who knows 22:40  |  BIG SUR 20/07/09
      137.   Part 2 to Ronnie 22:43  |  Big Sur 20/07/09
      138.   # 131 Big Sur it is not an assessment--it is fact. 23:08  |  raphael 20/07/09
      139.   #122Big Sur--East jer is occupied by Israel--ergo not owned 23:26  |  ronnie 20/07/09
      140.   #129 J---thanks for making our point for us 23:33  |  raphael 20/07/09
      141.   #129 J---thanks for making our point for us 23:34  |  raphael 20/07/09
      142.   #128 David --please explain. 23:38  |  jackie 20/07/09
      143.   David in Montreal--Israel wants to join NATO. 23:41  |  jackie 20/07/09
      144.   America is too weak to make demands of Israel 23:44  |  ELIAS KHOURY 20/07/09
      145.   #119 Big Sur---very sloppy post--please translate 23:46  |  Bob 20/07/09
      146.   Peter SM you forgot part of res 242 the important 2ND TRY 00:02  |  andrew 21/07/09
      147.   Peter SM you forgot part of res 242 the important 2ND TRY 00:07  |  andrew 21/07/09
      148.   Obamas folly 00:10  |  Malone 21/07/09
      149.   Cipora Julianna Kohn #26 what strategy? 00:36  |  J.S 21/07/09
      150.   Rogue Nation 01:07  |  Vladek 21/07/09
      151.   No Mystery, Jeff Northridge 01:08  |  Mark of Lewiston 21/07/09
      152.   settlements 01:26  |  bob 21/07/09
      153.   settlements 01:32  |  bob 21/07/09
      154.   What would the residents of Berlin say if you 03:23  |  r cummings 21/07/09
      155.   Israel should be a fair country 03:47  |  Welwisher 21/07/09
      156.   #129 Thanks for outlining why it is now illegal to acquire territ 05:40  |  CJ 21/07/09
      157.   CJ Hamas charter is the product of Moslem Brotherhood ideology 06:28  |  PETER SM 21/07/09
      158.   129 J - -What goes Around Comes Around 07:03  |  Mark of Lewiston 21/07/09
      159.   Nathalie expects Obama to cross the Rubicon 07:17  |  arik 21/07/09
      160.   People from New Zealand 09:12  |  lily 21/07/09
      161.   I agree - end the "special relationship" 19:43  |  TJ 21/07/09
      162.   Lily: re: people from New Zealand 08:32  |  Hannah 23/07/09
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