US, EU, Jordan join chorus of disapproval of Israel (Roundup)

Jan 9, 2011, 22:21 GMT

Washington - The United States Sunday joined a rising chorus of disapproval of Israel's newest settlement move in East Jerusalem, saying it was 'very concerned' about Israel's demolition of the historic Shepherd's Hotel to make way for new residences.

In a statement, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the move contradicted 'the logic of a reasonable and necessary agreement' between Israel and the Palestinians on the status of Jerusalem.

'This disturbing development undermines peace efforts to achieve the two state-solution,' she said.

Israeli contractors on Sunday began the partial demolition of the historic building in occupied East Jerusalem to make way for a Jewish apartment complex, despite demands from the United States and others to halt the project.

Earlier Sunday, both the European Union and Jordan condemned the step.

The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton reminded Israel that building settlements on occupied Palestinian territory was illegal.

'I reiterate that settlements are illegal under international law, undermine trust between the parties and constitute an obstacle to peace,' Ashton added.

She repeated past declarations that 'the EU does not recognize' the annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel, and also expressed concern for recent violence in the West Bank, amid escalating Israeli-Palestinian tension.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said the demolition ran 'counter to international law' and urged 'immediate' action by the world community to stop the moves.

He said the demolition in the Arab Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood sought to 'impose new realities on the ground,' would derail efforts to resume the deadlocked peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians and 'create a state of instability in the Palestinian territories.'

The United Nations still considers East Jerusalem occupied territory.

Israel said that the Shepherd Hotel, which was purchased by a Jewish American millionaire in 1985 and stood empty for years, would be replaced by 20 apartments for Israelis.

The Palestinians broke off the US-sponsored direct talks with Israel at the end of September after the Israeli government failed to extend a moratorium on the building of settlements in the Palestinian territories.

Clinton noted that the lack of peace in the Mideast 'harms Israel, harms the Palestinians, and harms the US and the international community.'

'We will continue to press ahead with the parties to resolve the core issues, including Jerusalem, in the context of a peace agreement,' she said in the statement.

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