Israel would continue to build homes in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday.
During a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Olmert called Har Homa an "inseparable" part of Jerusalem, saying that construction would proceed, local daily Jerusalem Post reported.
"When we build in Jerusalem, and we will in Jerusalem, everyone knows that there is no chance that the state of Israel will give up a neighborhood like ... Har Homa. It is an inseparable part of Jerusalem," Olmert said.
Olmert also said that Israel had stopped building in Judea and Samaria and would not expropriate land there.
Israel's plan to build hundreds of new apartments in Har Homa has drawn harsh criticism from the Palestinian side and the international community, including Israel's strong ally the U.S.
The U.S. has said such construction is unhelpful to peace efforts, and the Palestinian said has accused Israel of undermining peace talks.
Source:Xinhua
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