Netanyahu called the condemnations voiced by the international community "statements disconnected from reality, "I've heard claims that our construction in Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem distance peace," Netanyahu said, referring to the U.S. State Department's remarks a day earlier that such actions were "incompatible" with peace.
"The criticism is that it distances us from peace. These statements infuse the empty rhetoric of the Palestinians," said Netanyahu.The EU and the U.S. are applying a double standard when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Netanyahu added.
- "When Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] incites murder of Jews in Jerusalem, the international community remains silent," Netanyahu said. "And when we build in Jerusalem, they become indignant. I don’t accept that. Just as the French build in Paris and the British build in London, Israelis build in Jerusalem. We will continue to build in Jerusalem."
“We view settlement activities as illegitimate and we are unequivocally opposed to unilateral steps,” Psaki added.
- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with Netanyahu by telephone following the prime minister's announcement, to discuss the building plan, Psaki said.
- The European Union asked for clarifications and said such a decision, if confirmed, would be "ill-judged and ill-timed" and "would call into "serious question Israel's commitment to a negotiated solution with the Palestinians."
By Barak Ravid
[haaretz.com]
28/10/14
--
-
Related:
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Despite tensions with US, Israel to purchase second batch of F-35 fighter jets ...
ReplyDeleteDefense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel finalized the terms of Israeli's purchase of a second squadron of F-35 fighter jets in recent days.
The move came after the previous Israeli government decided that the air force may buy up to three F-35 squadrons.
The first batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets are due in Israel in 2016, and 19 jets will arrive in Israel by 2018. From 2019, the jets that will make up the second squadron are expected to begin arriving.
The purchase of the second squadron is conditional on the approval of the ministerial committee for defense purchases, defense sources said.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Despite-tensions-with-US-Israel-to-purchase-second-batch-of-F-35-fighter-jets-380034
28/10/14
U.S. responds to Netanyahu: We'll keep expressing our views on E. Jerusalem construction ..
ReplyDeleteAfter PM calls U.S. criticism of Israeli construction plans 'detached from reality,' State Dept. hints plans may have repercussion for Israel globally.
The United States has rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements that the U.S. criticism of Israeli construction in East Jerusalem is "detached from reality" and distances peace................http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.623241
28/10/14