Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Jerusalem Mayor: No City Regulated by the U.S. President
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat expressed support on Monday for the Israeli government’s plan to build 3,000 additional housing units in the E1 section between Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim, Israel Hayom reported. The decision came as a response to the recent upgrade of Palestinian status at the United Nations to nonmember observer state.
Speaking in Herzliya at a conference on the subject of affordable housing, Barkat told the audience: “We need to connect the E1 area to Jerusalem without any reservations at all, even with the world pressuring us not to do so. I certainly back the prime minister’s position on this. I don’t know of any city in the world whose regulator is the U.S. president.”
Reacting to Israel’s new construction plans, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said, “let me reiterate that this administration—like previous administrations—has been very clear with Israel that these activities set back the cause of a negotiated peace.”
Barkat said he was surprised by the European reaction to the Israeli government’s announcement. The UK, France and Sweden had summoned the Israeli ambassadors in London, Paris and Stockholm to explain their government’s position on the Jewish state’s decision.
“When the world talks about a freeze in Jerusalem, I ask, a freeze on what? On the billions we invest in east Jerusalem? Should we stop construction for Arabs, Christians or Jews? Or does someone mean that when an entrepreneur approaches me, I should, heaven forbid, ask him what religion he subscribes to so he can receive a permit to build in Jerusalem? That would be horrendous and it negates even U.S. law,” he said.
