Clinton calls Israel's eviction of Jerusalem families "regrettable"

Ma'an
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned on Monday Israel’s expulsion of two Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem, although in softer terms than her European counterparts did.

“Well, I think these actions are deeply regrettable,” she said, speaking alongside Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh at a Washington news conference.

“I have said before that the eviction of families and demolition of homes in East Jerusalem is not in keeping with Israeli obligations, and I urge the Government of Israel and municipal officials to refrain from such provocative actions,” she said.

“Both sides have responsibilities to refrain from provocative actions that can block the path toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Unilateral actions taken by either party cannot be used to prejudge the outcome of negotiations, and they will not be recognized as changing the status quo,” she continued.

Clinton’s remarks ended more than 24 hours of silence on the issue of the Jerusalem evictions, which were strongly condemned by the UN, EU, Britain, France, and others. The condemnation came not in her opening remarks but in response to a in a question from a reporter for Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, a London-based newspaper.

Earlier it was revealed that the US embassy in Tel Aviv did lodge a high-level protest against the expulsions. A state department spokesman, Robert Wood, criticized Israel in nearly identical terms.

Clinton's language was distinctly softer than that used by other international actors. The EU Presidency, currently held by Sweden, condemned the early morning raid as "illegal" and "unacceptable." The UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace, Robert Serry, called the action "totally unacceptable" in a reaction issued the very morning the police moved into the East Jerusalem homes... Full story