Obama warns Israel over Jerusalem construction project

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama said additional Israeli settlement building “embitters the Palestinians in a way that could end up being very dangerous”.

In an interview with Fox News in China on November 18, Obama said Israel’s decision to approve the construction of 900 new apartments on the outskirts of the southeastern Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo was not helpful to peace talks.

“The situation in the Middle East is very difficult, and I’ve said repeatedly and I’ll say again, Israel’s security is a vital national interest to the United States, and we will make sure they are secure,” Obama said.

“I think that additional settlement building does not contribute to Israel’s security. I think it makes it harder for them to make peace with their neighbours. I think it embitters the Palestinians in a way that could end up being very dangerous.”

In a statement on November 17, the White House said it was “dismayed” by the decision on Gilo, which was made by the Jerusalem municipality.

JTA