Tuesday 17 November 2009

Israel turns down US request to halt expansion in Gilo settlement


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[ 17/11/2009 - 06:13 PM ]

NAZARETH, (PIC)-- The Israeli government strongly rejected a US request to halt construction in Gilo settlement built on usurped Palestinian lands in the south of occupied Jerusalem, considering that there was no difference between building in the holy city or in Tel Aviv.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, an official at the Israeli premier’s Office responded to the US demand saying it is a routine procedure and that Gilo settlement is an integral part of what he called united Jerusalem.

The newspaper said that US envoy to the middle east George Mitchell made this request during a recent meeting with the Israeli premier’s advisor Yitzhak Molcho after the American administration received information about Israeli intentions to approve construction plans in Gilo.

Michel reportedly said that the settlement expansion risks undermining peace negotiations with the Palestinian authority (PA).

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