TEL AVIV, April 22, 2010 (WAFA)- Ir Amim, an Israeli NGO said it is wary of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to continue construction in East Jerusalem
Ir Amim regreted the lack of will shown by the Israeli government with regards to a definite 'freeze' on Israeli construction projects in East Jerusalem – a halt which is pre-requisite for restarting peace negotiations.
Slowly but surely, Jerusalem is becoming the main arena for testing Israel's commitment to finding a political solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unfortunately, in this arena, the government and its leaders prefer narrow political interests over strategic Israeli goals.
The refusal to halt Israeli construction in East Jerusalem will harm Israel's relations with its biggest and most important ally, the United States. It will damage an important strategic interest of the State of Israel.
'This decision nullifies PM Netanyahu's agreement to include Jerusalem in any future negotiations', says Yudith Oppenheimer, executive director of Ir Amim. 'Any further Israeli construction in East Jerusalem will put more distance between us the possibility of resuming negotiations.'
Ir Amim said it is a Jerusalem based non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in order to actively engage in those issues impacting on Israeli-Palestinian relations in Jerusalem and on the political future of the city.
