Israel to continue building in east Jerusalem

[March 26, 2010]  JERUSALEM (AP) -- 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 Friday said "the prime minister's position is that there is no change in Israeli policy on Jerusalem."

The statement was issued before 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.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.