Israel says it will continue building in east Jerusalem despite pressure from the U.S. to end construction in areas the Palestinians claim for their future state.
A statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Friday said “the prime minister’s position is that there is no change in Israeli policy on Jerusalem.”
The statement was issued before Mr. Netanyahu convened a meeting of key ministers to formulate a response to the Obama administration’s demands for Israeli peace gestures amid a high—profile diplomatic row between the two countries.
Washington has been trying to jump—start Israeli—Palestinian talks. It says Israeli building in east Jerusalem, where Palestinians hope to make their future capital, is provocative and prejudges the outcome of negotiations.
