The row between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government and the Obama Administration flared up again today, as the Israeli government approved a plan to build 900 homes in Gilo, a disputed Jewish settlement outside Jerusalem on the Palestinian side of the Green Line. Increased settlements in Gilo serve two functions detrimental to the peace process- increased settlement activity that both the United States and Palestinian officials condemn and by establishing a ring of Jewish homes around Jerusalem to effectively prevent the division of the holy city in a future peace agreement.
U.S. officials chastised the approved settlement blocs, with White House spokesman Robert Gibbs releasing a statement:
“At a time when we are working to relaunch negotiations… these actions make it more difficult for our efforts to succeed. Neither party should engage in efforts or take actions that could unilaterally pre-empt, or appear to pre-empt, negotiations….”
“The U.S. also objects to other Israeli practices in Jerusalem related to housing, including the continuing pattern of evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes.”
Similarly, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said:
“We understand the Israeli point of view about Jerusalem but we think all sides right now should refrain from these actions. We’re calling on both parties to refrain from action and from rhetoric that would impede this process. It’s a challenging time and we need to focus on what’s important.”
However, representatives of the Netanyahu government did not seem concerned in interviews with Israeli publication Yedioth Ahronot. Officials noted that Netanyahu was not involved in the decision making process and expressed confidence the incident would be forgotten in the coming weeks.
“The Americans know very well that the Israeli agreement to freeze the construction does not include Jerusalem…”
“The Americans are well aware of the prime minister’s stand on the matter, and therefore it would be a mistake to refer to the Americans’ statements as a crisis. There are things that are not seen by everyone.”
The new apartments will have 4-5 bedrooms in an effort to lure wealthy Israelis to settle the area.
Photo from Ha’aretz.
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