RAMALLAH, December 28, 2009 (WAFA)- Palestinian Presidency Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rdeina, said, today, that “any new Israeli bids on Palestinian lands occupied in 1967 are illegal and illegitimate.”
In response to Israel’s invitation to contractors to bid on the construction of 198 housing units in Pisgat Zeev, 377 in Neve Ya'akov and 117 in Har Homa, Abu Rdeina said that the Israeli Government proves, each day, that it is not ready for peace, taking advantage of the international inability, and the incapability of the United States to halt these activities, that are not in harmony with the Road Map and the US efforts.
“This is a test for the US credibility, and for the seriousness of the new Israeli Government towards peace,” he stated, “the Palestinian stance is clear, no getting back to negotiations without a comprehensive halt of settlement activities in lands occupied in 1967, majorly Jerusalem.”
According to Haaretz Israeli daily, Israel is planning to build nearly 700 new apartments in East Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not include East Jerusalem in the temporary construction freeze he declared weeks ago, saying the slowdown applies only to the West Bank.
