Channels

Benjamin Netanyahu in Congress
Photo: Reuters
Gilad Erdan (Archives)
Photo: Ron Uriel
Yaakov Amidror (Archives)
Photo: Dana Kopel

PM welcome? New Jewish neighborhood installed in east J'lem

New Jewish neighborhood is inaugurated in Ras al-Amud just as Netanyahu returns from US. 'Israel without Jerusalem is like a body without a soul,' says Minister Erdan. Leftist activist: This provocation sends a problematic message

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed at Ben Gurion Airport Wednesday, after concluding his visit to the United States, during which he spoke before Congress.

 

"There is strong American support for our principles and what we want," he told reporters at the airport.

 

He listed Palestinian recognition, security and a peace process that excludes Hamas as Israel's "fundamental" needs for the future. 

 

"Now we are just waiting for the Palestinian response," he added.

 

National security advisor Yaakov Amidror noted that "It was a very important visit, which contributed greatly to Israel's security and the ability to conduct political negotiations. It was an in-depth political explanation that contributed to the understanding of Israel's stances."

 

Addressing the apparent tension between US President Barack Obama and Netanyahu, Amidror said: "I did not sense any tension. I though it was right to clarify Israel's positions."

 

E. J'lem neighborhood inaugurated

Meanwhile, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat attended an inauguration ceremony for a new 100-family neighborhood located in east Jerusalem's Ras al-Amud neighborhood.

 

"We must support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in his position as was presented during his US visit, and forever we should say – that's enough, Jerusalem should stay untouched," Erdan said in a speech.

 

"Israel without Jerusalem or Zionism without Zion are like a body without a soul. We, as the government of Israel, are committed to strengthening Jerusalem and keeping it whole and united, and continuing to build in all parts of the city."


Protesting the new neighborhood (Photo: AFP)

 

Dozens of Palestinian and left-wing activists held a protest against the ceremony, chanting "There's no holiness in an occupied city" and "Settler, soldier, officer – disengage from Palestine." Two of the protesters were arrested for attempting to block one of the ministers' cars from entering the neighborhood.

 

One of the activists, Tzila Goldberg, managed to storm the event, calling the ministers in attendance "war criminals": "Everyone who takes part in the ceremony commits a war crime and violates international law," she yelled. "This is Palestinian territory."

 

Orly Noy, spokeswoman for Ir Amim – a group which focuses on Jerusalem within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – told Ynet that "Jerusalem is the litmus test for Israel's intentions regarding the peace process. Tonight's dangerous provocation in Ras al-Amud sends a problematic message, hurts Israel and destabilizes the city."

 

Mati Cohen, head of the Ateret Cohanim organization, which founded the neighborhood, told Ynet: "Jews bought land here 120 years ago and the Turks and English prevented them form building here. Thank God that we have been able to settle Jews here."

 

'Jewish settlement is existing fact'

Jerusalem Mayor Barkat said: "We are committed to developing Jerusalem for the good of all of its residents, Jews and Arabs alike… A month ago we inaugurated an Arab neighborhood and the media said nothing. To the world we say – we will continue to build and advance Jerusalem according to the law."

 

A source in the Jewish settlement movement in east Jerusalem told Ynet on Wednesday evening that the new neighborhood was just the tip of the iceberg.

 

"East of the city there are Jewish-owned territories and properties in neighborhoods like Silwan, Shimon Hatzadik, Abu Dis, and in the Old City. Jewish settlement is an existing fact. Some projects are materializing now and some of them are delayed because of bureaucracy and legal matters, but the truth is that all of Jerusalem's neighborhoods are involved. You cannot divide Jerusalem. That's the reality."

 

In light of Netanyahu's US trip, the source said he is not worried about the future of Jerusalem. "There is public and politic consensus about Jerusalem," he said. "I believe in Netanyahu's good intentions, but even if they try to force him to divide Jerusalem, he will not be able to do it because of the politic pressure."

 

Earlier in the day Vice Premier Silvan Shalom toured Hebron, and said that he does not support retreating from the settlements, and neither does Likud."

 

Yair Altman and Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.25.11, 21:04
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment