[Al Arabiya] Israel on Tuesday rejected global criticism of moves to build 1,300 new homes in occupied east Jerusalem, insisting it would never limit construction in its "capital," the premier's office said.
"Israel sees no connection between the peace processor and the planning and building policies in Jerusalem that have not changed for the last 40 years," said a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Jerusalem is not a settlement -- Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Israel," it said, adding that no Israeli government had ever curbed building in the Holy City since taking over and annexing the eastern sector during the 1967 Six Day War. |