U.S. and E.U. condemn domolition of historic hotel for new Jewish settlements in Jerusalem

[News_Editor]

U.S. and E.U. condemn domolition of historic hotel for new Jewish settlements in Jerusalem

2011-01-10 11:18:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. and the European Union (EU) on Sunday criticized the demolishing of Jerusalem's historic Shepherd Hotel to construct Jewish settlements in the eastern region of the city.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. was "very concerned" about the initiation of demolition of the Shepherd's Hotel in East Jerusalem.

"This disturbing development undermines peace efforts to achieve the two state-solution.In particular, this move contradicts the logic of a reasonable and necessary agreement between the parties on the status of Jerusalem."

The Jerusalem Post on Sunday reported that the demolition of the hotel, which is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, began at dawn on Sunday after years of debate that prompted international leaders, such as U.S. President Barack Obama, to condemn the decision.

Clinton added that "the parties should mutually agree on an outcome that realizes the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem, and safeguards its status for people around the world."

"Ultimately, the lack of a resolution to this conflict harms Israel, harms the Palestinians, and harms the U.S. 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 added.

The Shepherd Hotel was built in the 1930s by the mufti of Jerusalem Haj Muhammad Amin al-Husseini, and in 1985, it was bought by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz, who has bankrolled other Jewish housing projects in Arab neighborhoods in the capital.

Moskowitz, partnering with the Ateret Cohanim organization, plans to turn the complex into 20 apartments for religious Jewish families.

A construction permit was granted from the municipality six months ago, which was the last approval needed before construction can begin, the paper reported.

With a six-month delay due to a dispute that claimed that the family of Faisal al-Husseini owned part of the parking lot that will serve as an entrance to the future complex, Moskowitz was allowed to begin the demolition after the al-Husseinis lost the court case about a month ago.

On Sunday, the right side of the building was demolished with the facade of the left part of the building remaining intact because of its historical value.

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission on Sunday condemned the demolition and planned construction of a "new illegal settlement."

"I reiterate that settlements are illegal under international law, undermine trust between the parties and constitute an obstacle to peace. Furthermore, we recall that East Jerusalem is part of occupied Palestinian territory; the EU does not recognize the annexation by Israel," Ashton stated.

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