Associated Press | 03.17.08
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday said Israel would continue to build homes in a disputed east Jerusalem neighborhood, rejecting international criticism of the project.
Israel plans to build hundreds of new apartments in Har Homa, a neighborhood in the section of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians. The U.S. has said such construction is unhelpful to peace efforts, and the Palestinians have accused Israel of undermining peace talks.
Olmert called Har Homa an "inseparable" part of Jerusalem and said the construction would proceed. He spoke at a news conference with the visiting German chancellor, Angela Merkel.
"When we build in Jerusalem, and we will in Jerusalem, everyone knows that there is no chance that the State of Israel will give up a neighborhood like ... Har Homa. It is an inseparable part of Jerusalem.
In his remarks, Olmert said that peace talks with the Palestinians would resume later Monday. The Palestinians had suspended the negotiations, kicked off last November at a U.S.-hosted summit, two weeks ago to protest an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian officials confirmed the planned negotiating session later Monday.
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