Netanyahu's talking points to cover the settlements going up in East Jerusalem sound like he's been talking to the Israel Project and Frank Luntz about how to market biblical expansionism to an American audience:
Netanyahu told ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting that
Jerusalem is the united capital of Israel and that all citizens are
allowed to purchase property in any part of the city they choose.
"Imagine what would happen if someone were to suggest Jews could
not live in or purchase [property] in certain neighborhoods in London,
New York, Paris or Rome," he said.
"The international community would certainly raise protest.
Likewise, we cannot accept such a ruling on East Jerusalem," Netanyahu
told ministers.
This is the policy of an open city, he said, and Israel would not accept a stance that counters that civil right.
"Israeli Arabs are not forbidden from buying houses in west
Jerusalem and Jews must be granted the same right in the eastern part
of the city," he added.
Netanyahu said that he had made this stance clear to U.S. President
Barack Obama, declaring that the issue of construction in Jerusalem
could not be linked to the discussion on settlements.
OK: Palestinian citizens of Israel are allowed to buy in W. Jerusalem–and Irving Moskowitz can buy in the Occupied Territories– but does Netanyahu allow Palestinians who aren't citizens to buy? No.
