- Title: ISRAEL: Israeli deputy Prime Minister endorses disputed Jerusalem building plan
- Date: 18th October 2010
- Summary: DEGANIA, ISRAEL (OCTOBER 17, 2010) (REUTERS) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIIN NETANYAHU ARRIVING AT CELEBRATORY CABINET MEETING, MARKING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KIBBUTZ MOVEMENT NETANYAHU SINGING WITH ISRAELI FOLK SINGER SARALE SHARON GOVERNMENT MINISTERS POSING FOR PHOTO
- Embargoed: 2nd November 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAXZ4O5K4CZD2RJFE4LHX0VMZB
- Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says Lebanon has become Iranian proxy, as deputy PM endorses disduted East Jerusalem building plan.
Israeli Prime Minister convened on Sunday (October 17) his cabinet in the northern Kibbutz of Degania, one of Israel's first Kibbutz communities now celebrating it's 100th anniversary.
Ministers entering the meeting commented about Israel's decision to publish construction tenders for 238 housing units in two East Jerusalem neighbourhoods.
"Jerusalem was and will be the eternal capital of the state of Israel and to build there it says that we believe that Jerusalem is united (under Israeli sovereignty) and will be kept in the hands of the Israelis," deputy Israeli Prime Minister, Silvan Shalom, told reporters before the meeting.
Israel issued the building tenders on Thursday (October 14) in a little-noticed move that may further complicate U.S.-backed efforts to rescue direct peace talks with the Palestinians. Re-launched on September 2, they are foundering over Israel's refusal to extend a 10-month settlement construction freeze that expired September 26.
Palestinians said that by agreeing to publish further building plans, Netanyahu had chosen settlements over peace.
During the celebratory cabinet meeting Netanyahu referred to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadenijad's visit to southern Lebanon on October 13.
"We witnessed only a few days ago new threats and slanders towards Israel. To our regret, we can see that Lebanon is quickly becoming another proxy state of Iran and this is a tragedy for Lebanon but we here in Israel will know to defend ourselves and continue building our state." he said.
"We stretch our hand out to those of our neighbours who want peace with us and we will continue to build the towns, cities and villages of Israel in order to ensure our future in our homeland," Netanyahu added.
The Israeli plan for Jerusalem calls for further construction in two predominantly Jewish neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank Israel has annexed as part of its capital, in a move never recognised internationally. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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