Diplomatic Offensive: US, EU Defend Construction

October 27, 2014   

Diplomatic attack: After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this morning that he intends to approve the construction of over 1,000 housing units in Jerusalem, condemnations are coming. US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "The United States condemns the construction, we continue to make our position clear on the issue of illegal settlements, and we firmly oppose any determinations regarding the fate of Jerusalem. "If Israel wants to live in peace, it must take steps that will reduce tension. Continuing to take such steps is inconsistent with efforts for peace.". The European Union is also attacking the announcement. The EU's foreign policy spokeswoman said: "Verification of the reports on the subject will once again raise real questions regarding Israel's commitment to negotiations with the Palestinians. The EU can only condemn such a bad decision at such a bad time, if it is indeed implemented.". According to her, any future development in EU-Israel relations will depend on its willingness to establish a sustainable peace in the region based on a two-state solution. Netanyahu addressed the matter today in his speech at the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, saying: "There is broad public consensus that Israel has the full right to build in the Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem and in the settlement blocs. All Israeli governments over the past 50 years have done this." "Tell Jews not to live in Jerusalem?" Netanyahu asked. "Why? Because it will heat up the atmosphere? There are those for whom the timing is not convenient to build houses in Jerusalem or in other parts of our country, and if it were up to them, we would not have built a single house in 65 years." Earlier today, Jordanian Parliament Speaker Atef Trauna said at a conference marking the 20th anniversary of the peace accords between Israel and Jordan that Israel is no less terrorist than ISIS in its actions against the Palestinians. "The repeated attacks against the Palestinians, their land and their holy places are worrying," Trauna said.