Israel has approved the building of 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem,
in a move that threatens to overshadow US Vice-President Joe Biden’s
visit.
The move will infuriate
Palestinians, whose leaders have only recently agreed to resume
contacts with Israel – at Mr Biden’s urging.
The international community considers East Jerusalem, annexed by Israel in 1967, to be occupied territory.
Building on occupied land is illegal under international law.
Under US pressure, Israel has announced a 10-month suspension of new
building in the West Bank. But the suspension excludes East Jerusalem,
where the Palestinians want their capital.
Hopes for talks
Mr Biden is the most senior member of President Barack Obama’s administration to visit Jerusalem.
Earlier, at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, he said there was a “moment of real opportunity”
for peace between the Palestinians and Israel.
Mr Biden welcomed the two sides’ recent agreement to
start indirect “proximity” talks, saying the US would back those who
“took risks for peace”.
Mr Biden said he hoped the indirect talks would lead to
direct talks, through which a two-state solution with “Israel and
Palestine side-by-side” could be reached.
The Palestinians refuse to hold face-to-face
negotiations with the Israelis unless they halt all settlement building
in the occupied West Bank, where the Palestinians want their future
state.
US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is expected
shuttle between the Palestinians in Ramallah and the Israelis in
Jerusalem.
Hours before Mr Biden’s arrival on Monday, Israel
enraged Palestinians by approving 112 new homes in Beitar Illit in the
West Bank.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8558347.stm
Published: 2010/03/09 16:37:11 GMT
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