Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs resigns

Hatem Abdel-Qader, Palestinian Authority minister for Jerusalem affairs, resigned his post on Tuesday.

Abdel-Qader slammed the Palestinian government for neglecting Jerusalem, saying that "(Prime Minister Salam) Fayyad's government fails to uphold its commitments to the city, which is undergoing a difficult period."

He added: "I prefer not to be a part of such a government and continue enjoying personal and financial gains, and quit instead."

According to Abdel-Qader, the Palestinian Finance Ministry "contributes nothing to the effort to keep the residents on their land."

He explained that the Treasury does not pay legal fees to the lawyers running the legal campaign against Israel's intention to demolish Palestinian houses in eastern Jerusalem.

On Monday Abdel-Qader denounced Israel's plan to build 50 new housing units in the West Bank, saying the decision undermines the political process and hinders any chance for genuine peace.

"There is no way (President Mahmoud) Abbas and (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu can meet at the negotiating table with this policy," he stated.