AMP condemns Israel’s newest construction plans

(PALOS HILLS, IL 03/11/2010) -  The American Muslims for Palestine condemns in the strongest possible terms Israel’s approval of permits for the construction of 1,600 more apartments in illegally occupied  Jerusalem. Israel’s announcement came Tuesday just hours after American Vice President Joseph   Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu in attempts to restart peace talks.

The apartments are to be built in Ramat Shlomo, a religious Jewish settlement in an area of the West Bank built on confiscated Palestinian land.  On Wednesday, Vice President Biden told Al Jazeera the announcement “undermined trust” in the peace process. “Everyone knows the Palestinians deserve an independent state …” Mr. Biden told Al Jazeera. “For these kinds of actions to occur … they’re just destabilizing.”

(PALOS HILLS, IL 03/11/2010) -  The American Muslims for Palestine condemns in the strongest possible terms Israel’s approval of permits for the construction of 1,600 more apartments in illegally occupied  Jerusalem. Israel’s announcement came Tuesday just hours after American Vice President Joseph   Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu in attempts to restart peace talks.

The apartments are to be built in Ramat Shlomo, a religious Jewish settlement in an area of the West Bank built on confiscated Palestinian land.  On Wednesday, Vice President Biden told Al Jazeera the announcement “undermined trust” in the peace process. “Everyone knows the Palestinians deserve an independent state …” Mr. Biden told Al Jazeera. “For these kinds of actions to occur … they’re just destabilizing.”

The fact the latest round of new construction was announced during the vice president’s visit shows Israeli officials have an utter disregard and disrespect for the United States and the role it is trying to play in the peace process. The fact that Israel has continued to announce construction projects despite earlier U.S. demands that illegal settlement expansion be halted proves Israel has never been interested in peace.

AMP applauds Vice President Biden for his harsh condemnation of the newest illegal construction plans. However, AMP urges President Barack Obama and Congress to take the next step and make Israel bear the consequences of its continual short-sighted and illegal actions. The U.S. must stop sending more than $3 billion in unconditional aid until Israel stops all settlement construction, ends its illegal occupation and the siege on Gaza.

TAKE ACTION

Call your elected officials and demand they stop sending foreign aid to Israel while it continues its illegal activities. Find your representatives’ contact information, by clicking here http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd.

The American Muslims for Palestine is a national, grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the American public about issues pertaining to Palestine and its rich, cultural heritage. For more information, go to www.ampalestine.org.