Israel Responds to Construction Backlash

Drilling concrete for new house in Israel

A statement posted on the Prime Minister’s Office Web site pointed to history as proof that the construction would not doom the peace process. “Israel sees no connection between the diplomatic process and planning and building policy in Jerusalem, which has not changed in 40 years. All Israeli governments in the past 40 years have built in all parts of the city. During this period, peace agreements were signed with Egypt and Jordan, and for 17 years, diplomatic negotiations have been conducted with the Palestinians.”

The Israeli statement also said there is a difference between the West Bank communities and East Jerusalem. “Jerusalem is not a settlement; Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel. Israel has never accepted upon itself restrictions of any kind on construction in Jerusalem…including during the 10 months in which construction was suspended in Judea and Samaria.”