Netanyahu: Israel ‘rejects’ pressure not to build in Jerusalem

Israel “firmly rejects” pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said following days of unrest and growing international condemnation of planned forced expulsions of Palestinians from homes in the city claimed by illegal Jewish settlers.

Netanyahu’s comments came on Sunday as Israel’s justice ministry said it was delaying a key Monday hearing on the case of Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

“In all the circumstances and in light of the attorney general’s request, the regular hearing for tomorrow, May 10, 2021 [is] cancelled,” it said in a statement, adding it would schedule a new hearing within 30 days. Tensions over the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood have stoked daily confrontations in recent days. Washington said on Saturday it was “deeply concerned” and wanted “authorities to approach the residents … with compassion and respect”.

East Jerusalem is among territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. The US-sponsored statehood negotiations with Israel stalled in 2014. Israel deems of all Jerusalem its capital – a status not recognised abroad.

“We firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late,” Netanyahu said during a televised address before national commemorations of the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem in a 1967 war.

Palestinian medics said at least 90 people were injured on Saturday after the Israeli police cracked down on Palestinian protesters outside the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

The crackdown occurred as an estimated 90,000 Muslim worshippers prayed at the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque on Islam’s holy night of Laylat alQadr – or the Night of Destiny – the most sacred of prayers during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.