The Palestinian Authority (PA) urged the visiting United States envoy to halt an Israeli plan to demolish up to 90 Palestinian houses in Jerusalem and expel 1,500 residents on Thursday.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat raised this issue in a meeting with newly-appointed US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell and the US Consul in Jerusalem, Jake Walles, in the West Bank city of Jericho.
Israeli authorities issued eviction notices last week to the 1,500 Palestinians in the Bustan area of Jerusalem, near the Old City. The Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem has slated the area for a park.
Erekat said he also raised the issues of settlement expansion, the construction of Israel’s separation wall. Specifically he addressed Israel’s plan for the E1 area, east of Jerusalem, which, if seized by Israel, will render the West Bank sliced into two.
Mitchell is meeting PA officials in the West Bank on Friday after meeting Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel’s main right-wing party, Likud.
Regarding the election of a right-wing government in Israel, Erekat reiterated that the PA is urging the international community to boycott a government that rejects the principle of the two-state solution.
“Such a government will not be a partner. No political negotiation will be held with this government,” said Erekat.
He also said: “It’s time to make decisions, especially those related to ending the occupation, establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and resolving all of the final status issues in accordance with related international law. It is the shortest ways to peace, security and stability in the region.”
Source: Maan News Agency - Jericho
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