WASHINGTON — The White House is seeking “clarification” on Israel’s plans to build 20 new apartments in east Jerusalem, the largely Arab section of the disputed holy city.
The White House said it stands by its long-held assertion that Israeli building in Jerusalem is destructive to the Mideast peace process.
Israel’s announcement of the new building project came as President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two unusually low-profile meetings at the White House late Tuesday.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said today that the meetings were “honest and straightforward.” He said Obama urged Netanyahu to refrain from acts that could undermine trust in both the Israelis and Palestinians as the U.S. looks to jump-start the stalled peace process.
Gibbs wouldn’t discuss the substance of the meetings, nor would he say whether the new building projects in east Jerusalem were specifically addressed.
An aide to Netanyahu says the prime minister was caught off guard by today’s announcement of the apartment projects by Jerusalem officials.
The closed door meetings between Obama and Netanyahu came amid a serious dispute about Israeli settlement construction. At issue is Israel’s announcement two weeks ago, as Vice President Joe Biden visited, that it will build 1,600 new apartments in east Jerusalem.
Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state and have delayed new U.S.-sponsored peace talks over what they say is an Israeli land grab.
Obama and Netanyahu initially conferred for about 90 minutes in the Oval Office — a half-hour longer than scheduled. After that meeting, Obama retired to the residence while Netanyahu stayed behind in the White House to consult with his staff in the Roosevelt Room, a White House official said late Tuesday.
In a break from custom, there no photographers or reporters were allowed into the meeting, and no statements have been released about its details.
Netanyahu was meeting today with other U.S. officials, including George Mitchell, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
