Olmert seeks to expand Jerusalem
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Olmert seeks to expand Jerusalem*
From correspondents in Jerusalem
May 14, 2007 06:25am
Article from: Reuters
ISRAELI Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today he would seek to expand
the borders of Jerusalem and he hoped for eventual world acceptance of
Israeli rule in the disputed city.
At a ceremony marking the anniversary of Israel's capture and annexation
in 1967 of the city's eastern sector which Palestinians seek as a
capital for a future state, Mr Olmert said: "The past 40 years are only
the beginning. I believe, hope and pray that we will continue to work
together to strengthen Jerusalem, to expand its borders, to cultivate
its foundations, to build its neighbourhoods."
In his remarks at the Western Wall remnant of an ancient Jewish temple
in Jerusalem, Mr Olmert said Israel hoped to achieve world acceptance of
its rule in the city, by respecting its holiness to three faiths,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
"If we do this with wisdom and caution, we will preserve this city
always under our sovereignty, complete and united and accepted by the
entire world. This is our goal," Mr Olmert said.
About 200,000 Israelis have moved into neighbourhoods Israel has built
in Arab East Jerusalem since annexing the area after a 1967 Middle East
War and making it a part of its capital in a move not recognised
internationally.
The city is also home to about 230,000 Palestinians, most of whom live
separately from Israelis.
Israel said last week it had plans to build another 20,000 housing units
for Israelis in east Jerusalem, a bid some Palestinian officials
condemned as an obstacle to US-backed efforts to revive peace talks long
stalled by violence.
A recently revived Arab peace plan Mr Olmert has said he views
positively offers Israel normal relations with the Arab world in
exchange for a full withdrawal from lands the Jewish state captured in
the 1967 War, including east Jerusalem.
Israel's foreign ministry earlier expressed regret some European
diplomats had declined invitations to attend a gala parliament session
planned for tomorrow to mark the anniversary of East Jerusalem's capture
by the Jewish state.
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