Obama Slams Israel Over Settlement Plans
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010Jakarta, Indonesia (AHN) – A day after Israel announced its settlement plans, U.S. President Barack Obama, vehemently criticized the proposed construction of 1,300 Jewish settler homes in the disputed East Jerusalem region.
Talking to reporters in Indonesian capital Jakarta during his Asian diplomatic tour, Obama slammed both Middle Eastern parties for not making the extra effort required in saving stalled truce talks.
The American president said that Israeli settlement construction was “never helpful when it comes to peace negotiations.”
“I’m concerned that we’re not seeing each side make the extra effort involved to get a breakthrough that could finally create a framework for a secure Israel living side by side in peace with a sovereign Palestine,” he added.
Meanwhile, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has called on the world leaders to recognize a Palestinian state as a response to Israel’s declarations.
“This latest unilateral Israeli act necessitates dramatic international action for immediate recognition of the Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders,” Erekat said in a statement.
Earlier, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas presented the idea of seeking the United Nations’ intervention in declaring the statehood as an alternative in case peace talks end inconclusively.
However, he had said Palestinians would go for such an option only if Washington agrees to it.
The U.S., the U.N., the European Union and Russia all criticized the Israel’s decision to approve building of new homes.
Responding to the international criticism, Israel said that Jerusalem was not a settlement, it is the capitol of Israel, adding that its government had never placed any restriction on construction in its capital.
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