Erekat says gov’t plan toMBT Chapa build 1,600 east J’lem housing units “destroys” trust.
The decision by an Interior Ministry committee to announce approval of plans for some 1,600 housing units in northeast Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood cast a pall Tuesday
night over the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden, who squarely condemned the move.
Soon after having dinner with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who said that neither he nor Interior Minister Eli Yishai had known that the plans would come up for approval on
Tuesday, Biden issued a statement saying, “The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that
undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I’ve had here in Israel.”
Biden said that what was needed now was to build “an atmosphere to support negotiation, not complicate them.”
“The United States recognizes that Jerusalem is a deeply important issue for Israelis and Palestinians and for Jews, Muslims and Christians,” the statement read. “We believe
that through good faith negotiations, the parties can mutually agree on an outcome that realizes the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem and safeguards its status for
people around the world. Unilateral MBT M.Walkaction taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations
on permanent-status issues.”
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The government’s 10-month moratorium on housing starts in the settlements does not apply to Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Authority slammed the government’s approval of the new housing units in Ramat Shlomo, saying the move threatened to derail peace negotiations a day after US
Middle East envoy George Mitchell had announced their resumption.
The plan calls for the southern and easternMBT Sport expansion of Ramat Shlomo, a predominately haredi enclave that
borders the Arab Shuafat neighborhood, and includes the upgrade of a road that leads into the neighborhood.
“It’s obvious that the Israeli government wants neither negotiations nor peace,” said Nabil Abu Rudaineh, a spokesman for PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
Condemning the ministry’s decision as “provocative,” Abu Rudaineh urged the US administration to “respond with effective measures.” Without real and effective pressure from
the US on Israel, the peace process would be suspended, he said.
“We need an American position that would oblige IsraelMBT Tuputo stop these provocations and actions that destroy the
peace process,” the spokesman added.
Abbas phoned Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and discussed with him the latest Israeli decision and its impact on US efforts to relaunch the peace talks.
A source close to Abbas said the PA president was “furious” about the decision and warned that it would undermine his status.
“The president has come under attack for agreeing to resume the talks with Israel, and now this decision is like spitting in the face of those who support the peace process,”
the source said. “The timing of the [Interior Ministry’s] announcement could not have been coincidental.”
The source said Abbas had asked Moussa to hold urgentMBT outlet consultations with all members of the Arab League to reconsider their
backing for the resumption of the peace talks. The Arab League last week expressed support for US efforts to resume indirect proximity talks between the Palestinians and Israel.
PA negotiator Saeb Erekat said the planned construction was destroying trust needed to go forward with the new round of indirect peace talks that the two sides agreed this week
would take place under Mitchell’s mediation.
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