Builder Bibi Won’t Budge on East Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again rejected calls to stop construction of Jewish housing in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians hope to make their capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again rejected calls to stop construction of Jewish housing in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians hope to make their capital.
Netanyahu says direct talks should go forward without preconditions, although the U.S. and the Palestinians have said a freeze on settlement construction is necessary before negotiations can proceed.
Beyond his own conservative views, the prime minister is under domestic pressure from his governing coalition, which includes ultranationalist, ultrareligious and expansionist pols. — PZS
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...BBC:
Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since 1967. It annexed the area in 1981 and sees it as its exclusive domain. Under international law the area is occupied territory. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Mr Netanyahu said the Israeli government would discuss East Jerusalem as part of what he called “final discussions”, but it could not be a precondition to direct talks.
“This demand that they’ve now introduced, the Palestinians, to stop all construction, Jewish construction in Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem, is totally, totally a non-starter, because what it does is prevent peace.”
This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.
At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.
Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.
Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.
Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.
Donate now.
Editorial Cartoons
Courts & Law
The state is poised to eliminate limits on investment in increasingly risky Israel bonds that help finance the country’s war efforts.
Middle East
An Israeli-U.S. plan to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza is being called a "politicized sham." Meanwhile, the U.N. warns 14,000 babies could die within days without aid.
Middle East
The Israeli army expanded its “Iron Wall” offensive, sending tanks into Jenin and announcing that displaced residents would not be allowed to return to their homes.
Middle East
The emboldened Netanyahu cabinet is on a war path, mobilizing to attack Iran and lobbying Trump into a plan that could include using the “mother of all bombs.”
Middle East
An official from Hamas described Trump’s statements about taking over the enclave as “ridiculous and absurd.”
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.