A new Israeli construction project could harm international efforts to revive Middle East peace talks. Israel is considering a plan to build 1,400 new apartments in the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo in disputed East Jerusalem.
Posts Tagged ‘East Jerusalem’
Israeli PM rejects idea of sharing Jerusalem
December 13th, 2010 |
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the idea of sharing the city of Jerusalem with a new Palestinian state. Mr. Netanyahu said Sunday the division of Jerusalem does not reflect his government’s policy. Palestinians hope that mainly Arab East Jerusalem will serve as their capital, while the Israeli government has claimed all of Jerusalem as its capital.
U.S. urges Libya to avoid Gaza aid confrontation
July 14th, 2010 |
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The U.S. urged Libya on Tuesday to avoid confrontation with Israel over a Libyan ship heading for the blockaded Gaza Strip with aid supplies for Palestinians.
The State Department also criticized Israel’s demolition of several Palestinian buildings in East Jerusalem.
Jerusalem to demolish Palestinian homes
June 22nd, 2010 |
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Jerusalem’s mayor is moving ahead with a controversial plan to build a tourist park in Silwan, a mostly Arab neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The plan includes demolishing 22 Arab homes in what Palestinians say is an effort by Israel to expand Jewish influence over the occupied eastern part of the city.
Netanyahu, cabinet to meet on Israeli-U.S. rift
March 26th, 2010 |
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to consult with his cabinet late Thursday. VOA reports that the meeting will come after he failed to repair a rift with the United States over construction in East Jerusalem.
A wall of suspicion
March 25th, 2010 |
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Despite a rare dressing down from America, Israel’s leader shows no sign of yielding
GLUM Israelis likened the event to thieves entering in the night. When Binyamin Netanyahu and his aides met Barack Obama in the White House on March 23rd, the president forbade any media coverage—not even a quick photograph—in the Oval Office. The encounter with Israel’s prime minister did not seem to lead to the jovial reconciliation that politicians on both sides, after a fortnight of angry mud-slinging between Washington and Jerusalem, had hoped for.
The format was as odd as the extreme confidentiality. After the two leaders had sat alone for an hour-and-a-half, Mr Netanyahu closeted himself to “consult” his advisers, before returning for another half-hour discussion. Did Mr Obama, riding high after his historic victory over health care, choose to confront the silver-tongued Israeli prime minister with an unequivocal challenge to lay out his policy on peace with the Palestinians—and to back down over the controversial issue of building Jewish houses in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, which Palestinians see as the capital of their would-be state? …
Obama, Netanyahu hold evening talks
March 24th, 2010 |
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The talks came after Israel’s recent announcement of plans to build 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for more than three hours at the White House, late Tuesday, amid unusual tensions in the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Clinton, Netanyahu offer differing views of dispute
March 23rd, 2010 |
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However, both sides voiced confidence in the strength of their bilateral relationship in separate speeches to a pro-Israel U.S. lobbying group. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are offering up differing views about Israel’s recently announced housing plans for East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, at a Monday conference in Washington, the two sides suggested that the spat was behind them and voiced confidence in the strength of the bilateral relationship.
Building tensions
March 17th, 2010 |
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Relations between America and Israel reach a low point
After a raucous public slanging match, America and Israel are attempting to heal the worst rift between the countries in years. The row erupted during Joe Biden’s visit to Jerusalem last week after the Israeli government approved plans to build 1,600 new homes in a Jewish suburb located in East Jerusalem. America’s vice-president, sent to shore up relations and reassure Israel over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, took this as a gross and gratuitous insult both personally and to his boss, Barack Obama.
Hillary Clinton, America’s secretary of state, berated Mr Netanyahu on the phone and went on television to inform the world what she had done. The next day tensions rose higher after Israel’s ambassador to Washington was reported to have said that the crisis was the worst between the two countries in 35 years. He later claimed that he was misquoted. On March 16th Mrs Clinton, now trying to fight the flames, said that America had “an absolute commitment to Israel’s security. We have a close, unshakeable bond.” …
Israel tries to defuse crisis with U.S.
March 16th, 2010 |
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Israeli officials say their government is trying to work out ways to defuse a growing dispute with the United States. It came after Israel approved Jewish settlement construction in disputed East Jerusalem.
Netanyahu urges calm on settlement dispute
March 14th, 2010 |
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to calm tensions concerning plans for an expansion of a Jewish settlement in disputed East Jerusalem. Netanyahu told Cabinet members Sunday to “not get carried away,” as he discussed the strain in relations with Washington.
Israeli army seals off West Bank
March 12th, 2010 |
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There has been heightened tension in and around east Jerusalem as the Israeli army stepped up security following clashes in recent weeks after Friday prayers. Only men over fifty with Jerusalem ID cards were allowed in to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, part of the compound that Jews call the Temple Mount but which is also Islam’s third holiest shrine.
The week ahead
March 7th, 2010 |
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Renewed diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear activities
• AFTER Iran announced that its long-delayed Bushehr civilian nuclear plant will be operational within a few months, American diplomats will renew efforts to obtain further sanctions against the Islamic republic over its suspected efforts to build a nuclear bomb. Hillary Clinton, the American secretary of state, has been trying to persuade members of the UN Security Council, including Russia, which has been helping to build the Bushehr plant since 1995, to accept to a new round of sanctions against Iran. The country’s government refused to agree to a compromise plan for its uranium to be enriched in Russia.
• AMERICA’S vice-president, Joe Biden, tries again to untangle the knot that is Middle Eastern politics. He travels to the region on Monday March 8th and will meet the leaders of Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt and Jordan in an attempt to encourage the resumption of peace talks. George Mitchell, Barack Obama’s envoy, is adding his weight to efforts reopen negotiations. A recent row over historical holy sites has not helped to warm relations, as Israeli archaeologists in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as their future capital, are intent on uncovering evidence of Jewish ties that could be used to undermine the Arab presence there. …
Israel evicts Palestinians from East Jerusalem
August 3rd, 2009 |
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Israel evicted dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem on Sunday. The move touches on one of the core issues of the Middle East conflict. Israeli police moved into the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in disputed East Jerusalem and forcibly removed more than 50 Palestinians from their homes. They were members of two families who have lived in the area for more than 50 years.
Israel condemned over evictions
August 2nd, 2009 |
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The US has led international condemnation of Israel after it evicted nine Palestinian families living in two houses in occupied East Jerusalem.
Washington said the action was not in keeping with Israel’s obligations under the so-called "road map" to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Jewish settlers moved into the houses almost immediately.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it, a move not recognised by the world community.
The removal of the 53 people was also condemned by the United Nations, the Palestinians and the UK government.
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said he was outraged at the action.
"Israel is once again showing its utter failure to respect international law," he said.
"New settlers from abroad are accommodating themselves and their belongings in the Palestinian houses and 19 newly homeless children will have nowhere to sleep."
‘Deplorable’
The operation to evict the Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah district of the city was carried out before dawn on Sunday by police clad in black riot gear.
It followed a ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court that Jewish families owned the land. Israel wants to build a block of 20 apartments in the area.
"I deplore today’s totally unacceptable actions by Israel," the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert H Serry said.
"These actions are contrary to the provisions of the Geneva Conventions related to occupied territory.
"These actions heighten tensions and undermine international efforts to create conditions for fruitful negotiations to achieve peace."
The UK government said the Israeli action was "incompatible with the Israeli professed desire for peace".
"We urge Israel not to allow the extremists to set the agenda," the British Consulate in East Jerusalem said.
Sovereignty ‘unquestionable’
Israel considers a united Jerusalem to be the capital of the state of Israel.
"Our sovereignty over it is unquestionable," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month.
"We cannot accept the idea that Jews will not have the right to live and buy [homes] anywhere in Jerusalem."
The BBC’s Tim Franks in Jerusalem says the houses are in what is probably the most contested city on earth and the diplomatic ripples from the evictions will spread.
There are an estimated 250,000 Palestinians living in East Jerusalem and 200,000 Jews. </p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Palestinians evicted in Jerusalem
August 2nd, 2009 |
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Israeli police have evicted nine Palestinian families living in two houses in occupied East Jerusalem.
Jewish settlers moved into the houses almost immediately. The US has urged Israel to abandon plans for a building project in the area.
Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since 1967, a move not recognised by the international community.
The evictions have been condemned by the United Nations, the Palestinians and also the UK government.
‘Deplorable’
The operation to evict the 53 Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah district of the city was carried out before dawn on Sunday by police clad in black riot gear.
It followed a ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court that the land originally belonged to Jewish families. Israel wants to build a block of 20 apartments in the area.
The evictions were quickly condemned by the United Nations.
"I deplore today’s totally unacceptable actions by Israel," the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert H Serry said. "These actions are contrary to the provisions of the Geneva Conventions related to occupied territory.
"These actions heighten tensions and undermine international efforts to create conditions for fruitful negotiations to achieve peace," Mr Perry said.
Palestinian negotiator Saed Erakat said: "Tonight, while these new settlers from abroad will be accommodating themselves and their belongings in these Palestinian houses, 19 newly homeless children will have nowhere to sleep."
Sovereignty ‘unquestionable’
Israel considers a united Jerusalem to be the capital of the state of Israel.
"Our sovereignty over it is unquestionable," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month.
"We cannot accept the idea that Jews will not have the right to live and buy [homes] anywhere in Jerusalem."
The BBC’s Tim Franks in Jerusalem says the houses are in what is probably the most contested city on earth and the diplomatic ripples from the evictions will spread.
The UK joined in the condemnation of the evictions. "These actions are incompatible with the Israeli professed desire for peace," the British Consulate in East Jerusalem said. "We urge Israel not to allow the extremists to set the agenda."
There are an estimated 250,000 Palestinians living in East Jerusalem and 200,000 Jews. </p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
US-Israeli talks make ‘progress’
July 28th, 2009 |
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US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is expected to call on Israel to halt new settlement construction, in a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Mitchell earlier said such difficult choices would need to be made, as he continues a US push seeking a comprehensive Middle East peace deal.
Mr Netanyahu has previously rejected a freeze on settlement building, saying "natural growth" must be allowed.
Settlement building has been a major block to peace with the Palestinians.
Mr Mitchell is one of several senior US officials visiting the Middle East trying to push the key players to take meaningful steps towards a comprehensive regional peace settlement.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in Baghdad after talks in Israel with officials there on Iran and its nuclear programme.
President Barack Obama’s National Security Adviser James Jones and veteran diplomat Dennis Ross are also to arrive in the region to join the diplomatic offensive.
‘Roadmap obligations’
In earlier meetings in the region, Mr Mitchell urged Israelis and Palestinians to make the difficult choices needed for peace.
He told Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday that Israel could improve the climate by "dealing with difficult issues like settlements and outposts".
US-Israeli relations have become strained since President Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank.
All settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israel has settled more than 450,000 Jews in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
US DIPLOMATIC DIARY- Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell (to Syria, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Bahrain)
- Defence Secretary Robert Gates (to Israel, Jordan)
- National Security Adviser James Jones (to Israel)
- Envoy to the Gulf states Dennis Ross (to Israel)
Although the Israelis are reluctant to agree to demands that they stop settlement building, there may be a compromise brewing whereby the Israelis agree to finish the building of 2,000 new apartments a short distance inside the West Bank, but freeze all other construction.
However, the Palestinians have said nothing short of a complete and immediate end to settlement building will do. They have refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until settlement activity ceases.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat accused Israel of failing "to fulfill any of its roadmap obligations, including a settlement freeze, the reopening of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, removal of outposts, the release of Palestinian prisoners", reports AFP news agency.
He spoke late on Monday after a meeting between Mr Mitchell and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Earlier in the day Mr Mitchell met President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo – a day earlier than initially scheduled, apparently at Mr Mubarak’s request.
The Egyptians are currently brokering reconciliation talks between the deeply divided Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas.
Despite several rounds of talks, the two Palestinian factions are still at odds on the most sensitive issues, such as the shape of a future unity government, the remit of the joint security force and the system that would be implemented for any upcoming elections.
Iran options
Relations with Iran have also been on the agenda, with the US pushing for a response to earlier overtures.
Shortly after coming to office in January, Mr Obama said if Iran and countries like it were "willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".
On Monday, Defence Secretary Gates said the US offer to Iran was "not open-ended", echoing comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this month.
Mr Obama was hoping for a response by the time of the UN General Assembly in September, Mr Gates added.
His Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak indicated that military action remained an option on Iran, following talks with Mr Gates in Jerusalem. But he added that "priority should be given still to diplomacy and sanctions".
Israel says Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions remain its number-one concern and in recent weeks the US has expressed dismay about Iran’s suppression of protests over disputed presidential elections.
Iran denies claims it wants to build nuclear weapons, saying it is enriching uranium for a civilian energy programme.
Mr Gates later held talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Israeli leader’s office said in a statement that he had emphasised the need to use "all available means" to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons.
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This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Daoud Kuttab: Deflating Netanyahu’s Jerusalem Claims
July 27th, 2009 |
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Israel’s policies towards the holy city will guarantee that the desired peace process continues to elude Palestinians and Israelis.
US presses Israel on settlements
July 27th, 2009 |
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Middle East envoy George Mitchell reportedly discussing deal to allow completion of homes currently under construction
Barack Obama has dispatched a clutch of senior American officials to Jerusalem to press his demand for an end to Jewish settlement construction and move along a diplomatic process aimed at imposing a blueprint for peace if negotiations fail.
Obama’s Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, is reportedly discussing a deal with the Israeli leadership that would allow the completion of several thousand homes for Jewish settlers already under construction but impose a total halt to building once they are complete. Such an agreement would amount to a concession by Obama, who laid down an immediate and complete freeze on construction as a marker of a more interventionist policy at a testy meeting with the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, in Washington in May.
But American sources close to the negotiations say that getting Netanyahu to agree that no new construction can begin is an important step toward forcing a new diplomatic process that is no longer hostage to Israeli intransigence.
The diplomatic moves came as the Israeli military announced that the number of Jewish settlers on the West Bank has risen above 300,000 for the first time with about 200,000 more in East Jerusalem. About 2.5 million Palestinians live in the same territory.
The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, is also in Israel as part of the drive to secure a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement.
The aim is to win a regional consensus on Iran’s nuclear programme but also reassure the Israelis that Washington has not gone soft on the issue in an effort to dampen Israeli threats of military action. Gates said he did not believe that Barack Obama’s timetable would “increase the risks to anybody” — a reference to Israeli concerns that its nuclear monopoly may soon be challenged by the Islamic republic.
Israel has hinted at a pre-emptive attack on Iran should it deem diplomacy to be at a dead end. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said today that he reaffirmed to Gates “the need to use all means to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear military capability”.
While the Obama administration continues to say that negotiation is the way forward, Gates today said that the promise of talks with Iran “is not an open-ended offer”.
Two other US officials are also visiting Jerusalem as part of the diplomatic push – Obama’s national security adviser, James Jones, who in an Israeli diplomatic memo was reported to have told European officials that the administration will take a hard line with the Israelis, and Dennis Ross, Bill Clinton’s special envoy to the peace process who was brought back to focus on Iran.
The immediate effort is around a settlement freeze.
Tel Aviv newspapers report that Israeli officials say that talks are moving toward a deal in which the Americans will permit the completion of 700 buildings with nearly 2,500 new homes in them that are already well under construction, mostly in two settlements close to the green line which are likely to fall inside the Jewish state’s border under a final agreement.
But as part of the agreement, the US intends to rigorously monitor the building work to ensure that the Israelis do not push it beyond the agreed limits.
The Americans are acutely aware that in the past Israel has agreed to contain settlement expansion and then promptly broken its word. This time the US is insisting on detailed plans of what would amount to a final bout of construction before a total halt to building comes in to force.
Mitchell is also pressuring Arab countries for gestures in response to an Israeli settlement freeze such as trade delegations or overflight rights.
Mitchell said at a press conference that the disagreement over settlement construction is a “discussion among friends” but it is also a test of Obama’s authority.
One former official who monitors the negotiations closely said that the US is prepared to give ground because it sees a settlement freeze as an important step toward reviving Israeli-Palestinian talks.
There is no great expectation in Washington that talks will go anywhere but that they should have been tried and failed once again will help smooth the diplomatic path for the administration’s plan to force its own proposals on to the table later this year which could force Israel to make significant territorial concessions.
The Palestinians have been insistent that there can be no talks without a settlement freeze.
That still leaves the question of Jerusalem as a major obstacle.
Netanyahu very forthrightly spurned US demands to block a new settlement project in the occupied east of the city where an American millionaire plans to bulldoze an old hotel and build Jewish-only housing.
The prime minister said that Israel will not be dictated to on where its citizens can live in what it says is its eternal and indivisible capital. Netanyahu later said that all of Jerusalem will remain under Israeli jurisdiction even after a peace settlement.
Some American officials think Netanyahu may be overplaying his hand because if he puts himself in a position where he is unable to give ground on Jerusalem, that will require others to lay down Israel’s final borders.
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