Israel's response to the UN recognition: thousands of apartments in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria

Israeli response to UN recognition of the Palestinian Authority as a state observer: The government on Friday approved the construction of thousands of housing units beyond the Green Line, including Jerusalem, and in the connecting area of Maale Adumim.

As part of the decision the construction of three thousand housing units in Jerusalem and the West Bank were approved. In addition, the planning processes will be promoted for an extra thousand of housing units in the neighborhoods in Jerusalem and the settlement blocs.

A senior diplomatic source said: "Continuing the construction is done according to the map of strategic interests of the State of Israel." Meanwhile, the prime minister is considering additional measures in response to the Palestinian Authority last upgrade to observer state.

The Israeli response is intensely prominent, particularly because of the decision to expand the building as well in the area between Ma'aleh Adumim and Jerusalem. For years, the international community pressured Israel not to build in the area, and Israeli governments have avoided promoting the construction in this area.

Israel's response comes after Israel warned that it would take its own measures because "In their going to the UN Palestinians violated the agreements with Israel and Israel will act accordingly."

Housing and Construction Minister Ariel Attias, chairperson of the PR staff of Shas, referred this evening to the government's message before Shabbos concerning the marketing of 3,000 housing units in Jerusalem and the West Bank in response to the Palestinians move at the UN:

"The Israeli government decided on an unprecedented freeze on construction for ten months and Abu Maazan refused political negotiations even during the freeze. There is no benefit in a construction freeze, while Abu Maazan delegitimizes Israel.

"Abu Maazan's move to the UN does not bring the Palestinian's closer to a state. At the same time we are committed to increase the supply of residential land throughout the country. Increasing the supply of land policy culminated in the marketing of more than 130,000 units in recent years, and has a record of 13 years in the volume of active construction, but it is necessary to further this policy to reduce demand and prices.

"The Ministry of Construction and Housing will market already next week, hundreds of rental housing units for young couples in Pisgat Zeev in Jerusalem."

The UN resolution, adopted by an overwhelming majority, with the exception of Israel and the United States opposed it only seven countries and most European countries supported it or did not, is a difficult diplomatic humiliation for Israel. Therefore, immediately after the UN vote, Israel's friends are trying to minimize the degradation and hereby declare after that, their commitment to the continued existence of Israel.

After the Secretary of State for America, Hillary Clinton, made clear the firm position of the U.S. – which also opposed the vote - was the turn of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is a close friend of Israel, promised that his country, although it abstained from voting, remains committed to Israel on every security-related matters: "Germany will always stand with Israel in order to ensure its existence."

Merkel will meet this upcoming Thursday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Berlin.

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