Using uncharacteristically harsh language, Washington officials launched a coordinated attack on Israeli plans to push forward new housing in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, saying the move would distance Israel from “even its closest allies” and raise questions about its commitment to seeking peace with Palestinians.Virtually all of the coverage of this story misses one important detail:
The nearly identical comments from State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki and White House spokesman Josh Earnest came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrapped up a meeting with US President Barack Obama during which he pitched for the US and Israel to work together to boost other Arab states’ involvement in the Palestinian peace process.
Psaki said the US was “deeply concerned” over Israel’s approval last week to advance the construction of some 2,500 housing units in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Hamatos.
“This step is contrary to Israel’s stated goal and it would send a very troubling message if they proceed with tenders or construction,” Psaki said, adding the move would “call into question Israel’s ultimate commitment to a peaceful negotiated settlement.”
“This development will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere not only with the Palestinians but also with the very Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu said he wanted to build relations,” she said, calling her own language “strong.”
At the White House, Earnest echoed Psaki’s language and said the issue was discussed between Obama and Netanyahu.
Many of the housing units approved are earmarked for the Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa!
i24 is one of the very few outlets that mentioned this:
Jerusalem's municipality said the procedure is only a bureaucratic one and not a political decision. The municipality also argued that half of the 2,610 homes will be allocated to the Arab population and the rest to Jews.I'm not sure if it is quite half, according to this anti-settlement organization about 900 units are meant to expand Beit Safafa. Even so, when all of the articles about this issue mention "more than 2600 housing units in Givat Hamatos," they aren't engaging in fact-checking.
So either the US is telling Israel that they must not allow Arabs in Arab neighborhoods to build, or the US is only objecting to houses meant for Jews.
Last year I interviewed Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat and he described how he responds to American officials who insist on a freeze in Jerusalem building, using this very point:
What do you really mean? Because we've just been investing over a half a billion shekels on infrastructure and roads (in the Arab sector.) We're building 500 classrooms in the Arab sector...And we're registering many, many buildings for the residents of east Jerusalem. My question was, what do you mean by 'freeze.' Freeze everything? Or, God forbid, is somebody hinting, 'Wait a minute. Before you give someone a permit, check him out. If he's Jewish, freeze him, if he is Muslim or Christian give him a license'? ...Is somebody hinting to us to look at the color of his skin, to look at his religion before we give him a permit and a license?
Usually I don't get any answers back.
The entire interview is very worthwhile if you want to learn what is really going on in Jerusalem, not the spin that the media uses.
UPDATE: When Jerusalem's municipality approved 2200 new housing units last month, no one denounced it - except to say that it was inadequate.
Because that was in the Arab neighborhood of Al Sawahra.
(h/t Bob K)