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Israel - Netanyahu Rejects U.S. Calls to Halt East J'lem Project |
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Shepherd Hotel in the east Jerusalem Photo: Ata Awisat
The officials confirmed that Israel's ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, was summoned to the State Department over the weekend and told that the project being developed by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz should not go ahead.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss with the media diplomatic flaps with the US. Spokesmen for the US Embassy and the Jerusalem municipality had no comment.
The international community considers Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem to be settlements and an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.
Israel Radio and Army Radio reported Sunday that the US has summoned Oren and demanded that planning approval for the project be revoked,
The project is being developed by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz and is near Israel's national police headquarters. The radio reports said Israeli planning authorities have approved the project.
In response to the demands Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting, "Our sovereignty in Jerusalem is indisputable. We can't agree to such a demand in east Jerusalem."
"I wish to make this clear – the united Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people in the State of Israel," he added.
The project in question is the construction of the Shepherd Hotel in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
"Israel is building in Jerusalem and will build in the future. The Israeli enforcement and planning bodies are in charge of this. This is private land. Up until now, there has been no criticism of Israel in Washington over construction in Jerusalem," a top government source said.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also commented on the demand, calling it "unthinkable".
"There are many Arab families that build homes in the Neve Yaakov and French Hill neighborhoods. I have never heard any remarks on this matter, neither from the United States, nor from Europe," he said.
"This is not an isolated distant Palestinian neighborhood. Should we of all people discriminate against Jews? This is unthinkable," he added.
'US demands prove dangers of settlement talks'
However, other sources said it would be unwise to get into a dispute with the Americans over the matter at such a sensitive time.
One source said, "It would be best if all involved, including the Jerusalem Municipality, demonstrate restrain in order to find an educated solution that is acceptable to all parties in the settlement issue."
Minister of Information and Diaspora Yuli Edelstein said such a demand to halt the construction of a project just meters from the Hebrew University "proves how dangerous it is to get dragged into talks of a settlement freeze".
"Such talks will lead to a demand to completely freeze our lives in the entire State of Israel," he added.
MK Ofir Akunis, head of the Likud's response team said, "There is a broad consensus in the Israeli public around Jerusalem's unity as the eternal capital of Israel.
"All countries of the world should understand that attempts to endanger Jerusalem's unity and Israel's sovereignty in it, will be rejected immediately."
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz said the demand "proves that whoever demands a settlement freeze in Judea and Samaria will eventually also demand construction be frozen in the government offices in Sheikh Jarrah.
"I invite the US administration representatives to visit my office in Sheikh Jarrah, so they can witness Israel's sovereignty in the united Jerusalem".
Earlier Sunday it was reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled meeting with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell was postponed at least until the end of the month.
Another meeting between the two, which was set to take place in Paris last month, was also cancelled.
Mitchell was originally due to arrive in Israel on Sunday and later hold meetings with senior Palestinian officials in Ramallah. Jerusalem did not state the official reason for the delay, but some officials suspect it relates to the fact that the Netanyahu and Obama administrations have yet to resolve their differences on the issue of settlement expansion in the West Bank.
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Read Comments (12) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:17 AM americs Says:
obama shuld stop being busy with isreal and take care of our owen problems P.S maybe give back the whit house to the indians
2
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:16 AM great Says:
great bibi is good
3
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:48 AM Zevsky Rebbe Says:
It looks like the battle for Yerusholayim has begun !!! Obama will 'usher' in the era of Moshiach.
Here's the proof:
At the end of Masecta Sotah it states that before the coming of Moshiach the "face of the generation will be like the face of a dog" the commentaries explain "this means the leader of the generation" . The leader of todays generation is Obama who occupies the most powerful postition in the world. Here's the kicker: At his first press conference after eceltion, Obama was asked what kind of dog he would get for the white house and he replied "I would get a mutt like me", AS HE POINTED TO HIS OWN FACE; in other words...he compared himself to a dog (by way of his face and the quote is "THE FACE of the generation) and not just any dog but a mutt. A mutt is a mixed breed, meaning it comes from 2 different breeds of dogs, it is not pure blooded. One can understand this as a mix between Eisaf and Yismoel...which is what he is. Mother Eysof - Father Yishmoel. Here is the link the the press conference video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFlLvxHuTJo&feature=related
start listening at about half way.
To be continued....
4
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:52 AM his poll numbers keep falling Says:
tell Obama to get lost. he's clueless. i would agree with number 1, only that every time he tries something everything just gets worst. maybe Obama should just quit or get lost.
5
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:52 AM kingsley the chuchem Says:
Don't believe everything u read and hear or a fool u will remain. This came from the State Dept. and the unshameful Sec. of State we now have. Whereas the US forced Israel to halt all demolitions of ILLEGAL ARAB construction in the West Bank, the US is now asking Israel to stop LEGALLY PURCHASED PROPERTY BY AMERICAN CITIZENS, in Jerusalem. That is a disgrace, as the PA is indicating it wants it's properties to be Judenrein even if legally owned. Sec of State Clinton
and Obama fail to recognize that ALL MOSLEMS make sure that their land is free of all "infidels; including Catholics. Look at why our troops were thrown out of Saudi Arabia.... May all those that touch Jerusalem have the same end as SHARON>
6
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:56 AM Manny Says:
Yup. The true colors of Barack Hussein Obama are becoming more vividly clear. He is not a friend of ours, this whole notion of land for peace is a bunch of bull since the Arabs control 99.99 of the middle east. Israel is barely on the map. Go ahead Barack kiss the arabs behinds and the end they will attack and terrorize you even more, cause you Barack Hussein is showing WEAKNESS.
G-D help us.
7
Jul 19, 2009 at 10:11 AM Anonymous Says:
#3 that was very intersting about that gemera. and true that obama called himself a mutt. as well #5-6 make good points as well. these times will b hard and we must stand strong with our jewish brothers/sisters. israel is already small and the u.s. is bent on giving away somethng which is not theirs to people who took it from us. all for peace that clearly can't happen. why simple look at facts how much of jewish land was given away for so called peace and look wat we have received for that peace. dead men ,women and children captured soilders. I know we jews and we usualy turn away from voilents but enough is enough . we r not sheep to slaughter and our home is not for sale!
8
Jul 19, 2009 at 12:08 PM kingsley the chuchem Says:
Moskowitz is a very smart man- Why isn't he suing the US Sate Dept for discrimination between illegal Housing in Jerusalem which it supports to his Legal Housing that he is trying to do. His attys must be pretty stupid!!! . moskowitz should take his legal rights to Court for illegal interference in his rights as an owner.
9
Jul 19, 2009 at 01:06 PM Anonymous Says:
I've never heard of a country that won a war having to give back land to the opposing population. Maybe Obama wants to give Texas back to the Mexicans???
10
Jul 19, 2009 at 01:16 PM Elections Have Consequences Says:
Let's think about this for a second.
Obama is typical of Chicago politics where they bully people around. The best way to deal with a bully is to stand up tp him because usually the bully cowers like a tiny puppy dog. Thus the Izzys should stand up to Obama & tell him like Shloima Ha'melech said.... YISHAKAYNI!!!!
11
Jul 19, 2009 at 03:39 PM Obama hates Israel Says:
It is as clear as day. Obama would love for Israel to disappear ch"v. Israel must stand up tall and defend its interests. Giving in on any matter will only lead to much greater pressure on other matters.
Obama cronies: go tell your boss that there are at least SOME Jews who know who he is and what he is. We are on to his game. While most of the Jews in America unfortunately are under his spell, there are still some left who are awake. And we will not be silent. And we WILL publicly identify him as an enemy of Israel, a lover of the Arabs and sympathetic to their terror, and yes.... an anti-Semite (doubt that? May I remind you of his spiritual leader for over two decades: Rev Wright).
12
Jul 19, 2009 at 10:20 PM Elections Have Consequences Says:
“ It is as clear as day. Obama would love for Israel to disappear ch"v. Israel must stand up tall and defend its interests. Giving in on any matter will only lead to much greater pressure on other matters.
Obama cronies: go tell your boss that there are at least SOME Jews who know who he is and what he is. We are on to his game. While most of the Jews in America unfortunately are under his spell, there are still some left who are awake. And we will not be silent. And we WILL publicly identify him as an enemy of Israel, a lover of the Arabs and sympathetic to their terror, and yes.... an anti-Semite (doubt that? May I remind you of his spiritual leader for over two decades: Rev Wright). ”
The problem isnt as much as the fact that he hates israel, the problem is that he despises the USA which in turn means he hates our friends and loves our enemies.