US opposes new settlements in east Jerusalem

Tuesday, 29 Dec, 2009

HONOLULU, Hawaii: The United States is opposed to building new Jewish settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, the White House said Monday, calling for fresh talks on the future of the disputed territory.

“The United States opposes new Israeli construction in east Jerusalem,” spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

“The status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved by the parties through negotiations and supported by the international community,” he said, adding that the two sides should return to the negotiating table “as soon as possible.”

“The United States recognizes that Jerusalem is a deeply important issue for Israelis and Palestinians, and for Jews, Muslims, and Christians,” Gibbs said.

He added: “We believe that through good faith negotiations the parties can mutually agree on an outcome that realizes the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem, and safeguards its status for people around the world.”

Gibbs issued his statement following news reports in Israel that said the government had invited tenders for the building of hundreds of more homes in Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters that Mitchell registered US opposition to the Israeli plans when he met with Israeli officials in New York last week.

“The Israelis noted their plans to issue tenders in east Jerusalem. We strongly objected, knowing these types of announcements harm peace efforts,” Kelly said, confirming Mitchell himself raised the objections.

“We believe it is important to resume negotiations between the parties in order to resolve all permanent status issues, including Jerusalem,” Kelly said.

East Jerusalem settlements already house some 200,000 Jewish settlers alongside its 270,000 Palestinian residents.

Israel's continued expansion of settlements is one of the biggest obstacles to the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians, now suspended for a year.

Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it in a move that has not been recognized by the international community.

Israel insists that the entire city is its “eternal, indivisible” capital, but Palestinians are determined to make the city's eastern sector the capital of their promised state, a goal endorsed earlier this month by the European Union.