Plans by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to build new homes in an area of east Jerusalem claimed by Palestinians endanger the future of US-sponsored Middle East talks, a Palestinian official said.
"We condemn this act and hold the Israel government responsible for the derailment of the direct negotiations," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said today in an interview.
"We call on the US and international community to condemn this act, and hold the Israeli government responsible for undermining the direct negotiations. Once again Netanyahu proves he favours settlements over peace."
Israel's Ministry of Housing and Construction has issued a tender approved by Netanyahu for the construction of 3,500 homes across Jerusalem, the Ynet news website said today. The tender includes 240 units in the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood, to be built in the area of Jerusalem conquered by Israel from Jordan in 1967 and claimed by Palestinians as the capital of a future state.
News of the building plans may complicate US efforts to keep peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians alive after Israel's 10-month freeze on construction in the West Bank expired on September 26th. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas has said he will only return to talks if Israel reimposes the construction moratorium.
Mr Netanyahu's office referred queries on the Jerusalem housing plans to the Housing Ministry, which did not respond to calls placed today.
The Israeli leader has previously said the freeze on building in West Bank settlements does not include areas within Jerusalem's municipal boundaries.
Israel and the Palestinians agreed last month to try and reach an agreement on the framework for a comprehensive peace accord within a year. All the issues at the core of the conflict would be on the table, including the borders of a future Palestinian state, security arrangements for Israel, and the right of Palestinian refugees to return.
About 500,000 Jews have moved to the West Bank and east Jerusalem since 1967. The United Nations says that settlements are illegal, and the International Committee of the Red Cross says they breach the Fourth Geneva Convention governing actions on occupied territory. US president Barack Obama has also said the settlements are not legitimate.
However, Israel says the settlements do not fall under the convention because the territory wasn't recognised as belonging to anyone before the 1967 war, in which Israel prevailed, and therefore is not occupied.
Plans by Mr Netanyahu's government to build 1,600 homes in another east Jerusalem neighbourhood, announced during a March 9th visit by US vice president Joe Biden, strained ties between Israel and its staunchest ally.
Bloomberg