Jerusalem: In a confidential report, the European Union accused Israel of
actively pursuing the annexation of Arab east Jerusalem and undermining hopes for peace with Palestinians.
The annual report drafted by the EU heads of missions
in Jerusalem accused Israel of implementing in 2009 an
intricate policy which includes expanding Jewish settlements
and demolishing Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem.
"Developments in east Jerusalem in 2009 were marked by
the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and a
considerable number of Palestinian house demolitions and
eviction orders," said the report, published first by Israel's
liberal Haaretz daily.
Israel occupied and annexed east Jerusalem in 1967
and considers it its "eternal indivisible capital" in a move
never recognised by the international community.
"Israel is, by practical means, actively pursuing its
illegal annexation of east Jerusalem by weakening the
Palestinian community in the city, impeding Palestinian urban
developments and ultimately separating east Jerusalem from
the rest of the West Bank."
The future of east Jerusalem, which the
Palestinians want to make the capital of their promised state,
is one of the most sensitive issue in Middle East peace talks,
which have been suspended for almost a year.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 03, 2009, 22:24