Tel-Chai Nation

I mentioned before how Obama wasted no opportunity in attacking Israel's rights to build living quarters for its residents. And the State Department and their spokesperson P.J Crowley also did this by saying they're "deeply disappointed". Fortunately, Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a statement via his own spokesperson (Hat tip: Power Line):

Jerusalem is not a settlement; Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel. Israel has never accepted upon itself restrictions of any kind on construction in Jerusalem, which has approximately 800,000 residents, including during the ten months in which construction was suspended in Judea and Samaria.

Israel sees no connection between the diplomatic process and planning and building policy in Jerusalem, which has not changed in 40 years. All Israeli governments in the past 40 years have built in all parts of the city. During this period, peace agreements were signed with Egypt and Jordan, and for 17 years, diplomatic negotiations have been conducted with the Palestinians. These are historical facts. Construction in Jerusalem has never hindered the peace process.

The disagreements with the US over Jerusalem are well-known. They are not new and have continued for 40 years. We hope to overcome them and continue to advance the diplomatic negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking forward to his planned Thursday meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in order to advance the peace talks.

Let's not think though, that Clinton will really back him up on this. That told, Netanyahu was right to make clear that Jerusalem is not that settlement nonsense they're constantly coughing up.

Labels: islam, Israel, Jerusalem, United States