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THE mayor of Jerusalem pledged today to plough ahead with building plans that earned unusually severe criticism from the United States.
Barack Obama’s administration warned on Wednesday that the plans for eastern Jerusalem would “poison” international relations and draw Israel’s commitment to peace with the Palestinians into doubt.
“I say this firmly and clearly — building in Jerusalem is not poisonous and harmful, rather it is essential, important and will continue with full force,” Mayor Nir Barkat said.
The plan to build 2,600 flats in Givat Hamatos was approved two years ago but was only revealed by campaign group Peace Now on Wednesday morning, just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with with Mr Obama.
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz accused Peace Now of deliberately trying to embarrass the Israeli PM before the meeting.
Israel claims that a third of the new homes will go to Arabs, but leftwingers say the construction is part of plans to purge Jerusalem of non-Jews.
