Turkey condemns Israeli decision for construction of new houses

Turkish Foreign Ministry on late Friday condemned final approval of the Israeli government to construct 1,600 new houses in Ramat Shlomo in East Jerusalem.

A statement issued by the foreign ministry said Turkey and all international community reacted over Israeli government's earlier decision to construct more than 900 houses in Har Homa in East Jerusalem, Xinhua reported.

"A few days after the decision in question, Israeli government gave approval to construction of 1,600 new houses in Ramat Shlomo in East Jerusalem. Turkey regrets and condemns this decision," the statement said.

The statement added this decision made by Israel despite the reaction shown by the international community when it announced first stage approval in March 2010 showed that it disregarded many calls and warnings.

"On the other side, news reports that Israeli government would approve construction of 700 houses in Pisgat Ze'ev and 2,000 houses in Givat HaMatos are also concerning," the statement said.

The statement added, "with the construction activities it continued in East Jerusalem and West Bank, which are under occupation, and with the other implementations contradicting international law, Israel aims to change historical, geographical, cultural and religious tissue of East Jerusalem. Israel is in a serious mistake and it is impossible for it to achieve success by seizing territories of Palestinian people."

"Turkey will always continue to support the cause of its Palestinian brothers despite the efforts to change property structure in territories which are under occupation," the statement said.


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