Israel, defying the United Nations resolution, approved new settlements in East Jerusalem on Sunday while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak to President Donald Trump later in the day to clarify the U.S. position(s) in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Syria and Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"Stopping the Iranian threat, and first and foremost the threat reflected in the bad nuclear agreement that was signed with Iran, continues to be a supreme goal of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in statement, according to the report.
President Trump has stated, before taking the oath of office Friday, he plans to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, supporting Israel in their territorial dispute with the Palestinians and ostensibly recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel. Former President Barack Obama and outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry had pushed a two-state solution.
"We had eight difficult years of Obama who pressured for freezing of construction," Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement, per the Journal. "I hope that the era is concluded and from now on we will continue to build and develop Jerusalem for the good of its citizens, both Jewish and Arabs."
Israel approved building permits Sunday for 671 housing units in Jerusalem, 561 in Jewish neighborhoods and 105 in Arab areas, according to the Journal. The U.N. had voted unanimously – with a U.S. abstention – disavowing Israeli settlements in Jerusalem.
Israel is also discussing further legislation Sunday to annex a major settlement in the West Bank and impose Israel law, a spokesman told the Journal. This had been on hold until President Trump took office.
The Palestine Liberation Organization secretary-general Saeb Erekat has said such moves would suspend peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
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