ID :
156601
Mon, 01/10/2011 - 18:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/156601
The shortlink copeid
Israeli demolitions in E. Jerusalem ‘provocative,’ says UK
London, Jan 10, IRNA – The British government has followed the US in condemning Israel for sending bulldozers to demolish part of a hotel in occupied East Jerusalem to build more illegal settlement homes.
“We oppose provocative unilateral actions such as this, which hinder efforts to resume talks between the two parties leading to a two-state solution to this conflict, with Jerusalem as the shared capital,” said Middle East Minister Alistair Burt.
“This latest settlement activity does not help – on the contrary, it raises tensions unnecessarily,” Burt said in a written statement.
The Shepherd Hotel was built in the 1930s but was seized illegally by Israel after it occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 war. Its destruction is part of continuing plans to annexe the entire holy city.
“The British Government reaffirms its strong, long-standing opposition to the creation of this new illegal settlement in occupied East Jerusalem and condemns today’s demolition in Sheikh Jerrah,” Burt said.
“The establishment and expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal,” he warned after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a similar statement, criticising the demolition for undermining peace efforts.
Last week, the British government sought to plat down Israel’s arrest of two Palestinian employees from its consulate, which is also in Sheikh Jerrah suburb in east Jerusalem, insisting that it has no diplomatic implications.
The consulate acts as a de facto embassy to the Palestinian Authority but the Foreign Office said it had been told by Israeli authorities that the charges had 'no connection' with the men's jobs as maintenance workers at its offices./end
“We oppose provocative unilateral actions such as this, which hinder efforts to resume talks between the two parties leading to a two-state solution to this conflict, with Jerusalem as the shared capital,” said Middle East Minister Alistair Burt.
“This latest settlement activity does not help – on the contrary, it raises tensions unnecessarily,” Burt said in a written statement.
The Shepherd Hotel was built in the 1930s but was seized illegally by Israel after it occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 war. Its destruction is part of continuing plans to annexe the entire holy city.
“The British Government reaffirms its strong, long-standing opposition to the creation of this new illegal settlement in occupied East Jerusalem and condemns today’s demolition in Sheikh Jerrah,” Burt said.
“The establishment and expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal,” he warned after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a similar statement, criticising the demolition for undermining peace efforts.
Last week, the British government sought to plat down Israel’s arrest of two Palestinian employees from its consulate, which is also in Sheikh Jerrah suburb in east Jerusalem, insisting that it has no diplomatic implications.
The consulate acts as a de facto embassy to the Palestinian Authority but the Foreign Office said it had been told by Israeli authorities that the charges had 'no connection' with the men's jobs as maintenance workers at its offices./end
