Bibi Commits To Promoting Arab Construction in E. Jerusalem

By Barak Ravid (Haaretz) February 4, 2011

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the international community’s Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, announced Friday a series of gestures that Israel will make to the Palestinians, including a promise to support Arab construction in East Jerusalem.

“In respect of East Jerusalem, the Government of Israel has agreed to encourage the implementation of all projects that abide by municipal regulations that will improve infrastructure there for Palestinians, including in particular housing, starting with two projects in East Jerusalem,” Blair announced.

The meeting between Netanyahu and Blair on Friday comes a day before a summit of the Quartet of Mideast peacemakers – the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia – for whom Blair is the envoy. The Quartet is meeting to discuss the stalemate in peace talks between Israel and the PA.

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