Washington, DC | December 6, 2007 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) condemns the Israeli government’s plans to illegally build over 300 new homes in East Jerusalem. This action directly undermines any negotiations with the Palestinian Authority and puts at risk the current peace initiative.
Despite attending a conference in Annapolis, Maryland aimed at restarting the peace process, the Israeli government announced yesterday that it is going ahead with plans to build illegal homes for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem. The status of Jerusalem remains an integral part of final status peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine although East Jerusalem is predominantly Palestinian. Following the peace talks in Maryland, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made constructive and encouraging statements regarding the future of the peace talks and the warming relations between him and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. However, the current decision by Israel to proceed with illegal settlements in East Jerusalem reduces the perceived good will garnered during Annapolis to lip service. The proposed settlements are barriers to a just and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora said, “ADC calls on the Israeli government to honor its commitments under the US backed road map to peace, which includes halting all new settlement activity. ADC also calls on the US government to hold Israel accountable for this action as an affront to the agreed upon peace initiatives and clear violations of international law.” These actions pose a serious threat to the achievement of a viable Palestinian state, existing side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel.