Livni: Disputed construction ‘completely unnecessary’

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni on Thursday lamented Israeli plans to construct thousands of apartments in the contested E1 corridor east of Jerusalem over the next two years.

To build in the disputed area “isn’t a matter of housing, it’s not a matter of building, it’s a diplomatic [matter],” Livni, who’s also in charge of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, told Army Radio. “Israel had in the past promised to avoid building [in E1],” she said, adding that the project was “completely unnecessary.”

Livni, head of the Hatnua party, said the country’s first priority should be the restarting of the peace process. She cited the “enthusiasm” of US Secretary of State John Kerry as support for the fact that talks were possible.

Israel’s announcement of construction in E1, which critics say could preclude the possibility of a territorially contiguous Palestinian state, was a response to the Palestinians’ move to upgrade their status at the UN in 2012. In recent months, Palestinian activists built tent cities in the area, which have been demolished by the Israeli authorities.

Livni called on the Palestinians, for their part, to avoid further unilateral steps.

Meanwhile, attending a reception near E1 during Tuesday’s Independence Day celebrations, Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) vowed to build there.

“We’ll uphold our right and obligation to build here,” he said. “In another year and a half there will apartments in E1.”