Netanyahu: Israel will not accept limits on sovereignty over Jerusalem

Published yesterday (updated) 25/08/2009 21:07

Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies –

 Israeli occupation government prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated on Tuesday that he would not halt the construction of illegal settlements in East Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Netanyahu told reporters at a London news conference, "Is not a settlement. It is the sovereign capital of the State of Israel. We have been building in Jerusalem for 3,000 years."

“Israel will not accept limits on its sovereignty,” in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said, speaking alongside British counterpart Gordon Brown after a meeting at 10 Downing Street.

Israel annexed East Jerusalem after occupying it along with the rest of the West Bank in June 1967. The annexation has never been recognized as legitimate by the international community. Britain, along with the US and most other countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Despite Jerusalem’s centrality in the debate over the settlements, the Israeli leader said that Israel and the US were closer to reaching a compromise on the issue, paving the way for renewed negotiations with the Palestinians.

"We hope to move forward in the next months and weeks," said the Israeli leader, as quoted by the Haaretz newspaper.

"With the help of our friends in the US, Britain and elsewhere we can achieve progress that will confound the cynics and surprise the world," he added.

He urged the Palestinian leadership to move forward in a "courageous" way and tell the Palestinian people: "It's over, there is going to be real, final peace."

On the settlement issue, Netanyahu said he hoped to find a "bridging formula" that would enable settlers already living in the West Bank colonies to lead a "normal life."

For his part, Brown reiterated his government's position that continued construction in settlements poses an obstacle to a two-state solution to the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, though he added that there appears to be progress on the issue.

The British prime minister said a settlement freeze construction would likely pave the way for Arab states to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel.

Angry protest

Thirty minutes before Netanyahu’s arrival at 10 Downing Street, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators converged outside, denouncing the siege of Gaza, settlements in the West Bank, and other Israeli policies.

Thwarted from using the front door, Netanyahu’s security detail had to usher him into the building through the back door.

According to Israel’s Ynet news website, several demonstrators attempted to cross a security cordon, but were stopped by British police. Demonstrators shouted slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "Netanyahu's a war criminal," "Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine," and "Let the Palestinians live."

Netanyahu: Jerusalem is out eternal capital, settlers have the right to live a normal life‌

Tuesday August 25, 2009 23:48 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli occupation government prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated Tuesday after a meeting with the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, that the “United Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jews”, and that Israel will not accept to jeopardize its sovereignty on the city.

Netanyahu added that Jerusalem is not a settlement and that the “Jews built it 3000 years ago”.

He also said that, “starting in London, the Palestinians should be demanded to recognize Israel as the National homeland of the Jewish people”.

Referring to the West Bank, Netanyahu stated that Israel is acting on boosting the Palestinian economy, and that it removed nearly 150 roadblocks as a positive step towards peace.

Meanwhile, Brown told Netanyahu that Israel should freeze all settlement activities; especially since settlements are major obstacles to the two-state solution.

While heading to the building where we met Brown, Netanyahu’s convoy was met by pro-Palestinian protesters, and was forced to enter the building from a back door.

Hundreds of protestors gathered at the Downing Street, and raised posters describing Netanyahu as a war criminal, and stating that Palestine must be free, and Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

Referring to the Iranian file, Brown and Netanyahu said that Iran must understand that the International Community will not allow it to be a nuclear power, and that “all options should be open in dealing with Iran”.

Netanyahu called for imposing more sanctions on Tehran, and added that the regime in Iran “is not as strong as it appears to be”.