Jordan and Egypt condemned today the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to build 1,600 housing units in East Al Quds (Jerusalem). According to an official statement by Jordanian officials, such measures could undermine U.S. efforts to launch a new round of negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis and that the Israeli decisions and actions are universally rejected and would also undermine the chances of peace in the region as the settlement is a real violation of the resolutions of international legitimacy. Meanwhile, official spokesman of Foreign Ministry Hossam Zaki said in a statement today that these reports in addition to plans for the construction of 112 units in the Israeli settlement near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem affirm that the parties that are against the establishment of a Palestinian state has become a major constraint because of their attachment to the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and their refusal to comply with the provisions of international law and U.S. mediator's efforts to achieve peace based on justice. He added that the Egyptian Foreign Ministry had carried out urgent contacts with U.S. officials to inform them of Egypt's full rejection of these steps, the Israeli settlement and to request the suspension of these plans, if the Israeli government is serious about achieving peace. The Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit will further contacts over the next couple of days to put an end to the futility of the Israelis that underestimate Palestinian, Arab and American mediation and who slam the efforts by changing conditions on the ground as a real violation of international law and the will of the international community, the Spokesman concluded.
