Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barakat, said in a video posted to his Facebook page that Israeli settlement reconstruction will continue all over the city.
Barakat stated: “Reconstruction in Jerusalem is not considered a provocation but rather meeting the needs of Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.”
Germany "extremely concerned" at Israel's latest settlement expansion moves in and around East Jerusalem https://t.co/L3XtPZOdox
— Martin Konecny (@MartinKonecny) July 28, 2016
He dismissed the American criticism over building hundreds of housing units in areas located outside the Green Line in the city.
John Kirby, US Assistant Secretary and spokesperson for the Bureau of Public Affairs, issued a statement that criticized Israel for planning to build hundreds of housing units in the settlement of Gilo.
U.S. calls plans to expand settlements in East Jerusalem “corrosive to the cause of peace.” https://t.co/VFcXR0fb7I
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) July 29, 2016
The statement read, “We strongly oppose settlement activity, which is corrosive to the cause of peace.”
He added, “These steps by Israeli authorities are the latest examples of what appears to be a steady acceleration of settlement activity that is systematically undermining the prospects for a two- state solution.”
(PC, Palestine Today)
