Palestinian minister: Jerusalem construction may spark another intifada

Khatem Abdel Kader tells Ynet Obama administration understands implementation of Israel's plans in Jerusalem 'jeopardizes establishment of Palestinian state,' which he says is 'vital to US national-security interests'

Ali Waked Published: 05.24.09, 23:33 / Israel News

The Palestinians warn that Israel's "continued construction and appropriation of land" in east Jerusalem may be grounds for another uprising.
The Palestinian minister for Jerusalem Affairs, Khatem Abdel Kader, told Ynet Sunday evening the US administration realizes that "the implementation of Israel's plans for appropriation and the demolition of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem may spark a third intifada."
Kader said the Palestinians have identified a clear change in America's position on the issue of Jerusalem.
"They are acting according to the concept that the failure to establish a Palestinian state would jeopardize the US' national security interests – and without Jerusalem there is no Palestinian state. This is why the Americans are cooperating with us to thwart Israel's plans in Jerusalem."
According to the minister, US representatives have been monitoring every demolition order issued by the Jerusalem Municipality. "The Americans understand that these plans endanger not only to the future of Jerusalem, but also the future of the Palestinian state and the entire (peace) process," he said.
The Obama administration, Kader maintained, "Realizes that Jerusalem will never be unified under Israeli sovereignty and has made it clear that Jerusalem must be accessible to everyone – but not united under Israel's rule."

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported Sunday that an unwritten agreement between the Bush administration and former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, according to which some of the larger settlements in the occupied West Bank would ultimately become part of Israel, was hindering US President Barack Obama's efforts to pressure Jerusalem into halting all settlement expansion.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Cabinet earlier in the day that while "while we will not authorize the construction of new settlements, it would be unfair not to accommodate natural (population) growth."