Israel's plan for 20,000 housing units in Al-Quds condemned
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 5/28/2007

Egypt's Shura Council on Sunday said Israel's announcement to build some 20,000 housing units in occupied east Jerusalem was an obstruction to peace efforts.

Its aim is to abort the serious and genuine Arab efforts on the unilateral, bilateral or multilateral levels, a released statement said.

Israeli activities do not at all conform to the Arab or the world's aspirations and represent a grave violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention and protocols, it added.

Meantime,Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit condemned on Sunday Israel's continued shelling of the Gaza Strip.

In statements, Abul-Gheit said a return to the truce is the key to ending violence between the Palestinians and Israel.

Abul-Gheit slammed recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on his government's intention to continue military operations in Gaza Strip even if Hamas agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire.

He pressed for lifting the Israeli siege preventing Palestinians from practicing their legitimate right of free movement in their territories.

The top diplomat said this Israeli policy has cast its toll on the economic situation in Gaza Strip.

He underlined the need to pave the way for a serious political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Minister Abul-Gheit said halting Palestinian-Israeli violence should be an objective in itself.

He stressed that Egypt was seeking to restore calm in order to push for a comprehensive ceasefire between the Palestinians and Israel.

The Egyptian top diplomat said the Israeli shelling and assassinations would not end Qassam rocket attacks but would rather claim more innocent lives.

He insisted that the Palestinian side should cooperate positively with Egypt to heal the rift among the various Palestinian factions and agree on a unified, practical stance.

Previous Stories:
  Israeli measures judaizing East Jerusalem   (5/15/2007)
  Egypt not to relinquish rights of killed POWs   (4/23/2007)
  Egyptian arrested on espionage for Israeli Mossad   (2/4/2007)

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