By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert returned on Wednesday from Germany where he discussed the Middle East peace process and Europe’s role in such efforts as well as Iran’s nuclear file.
According to Israeli radio, Olmert told reporters in Berlin that he had doubts about reaching a Palestinian-Israeli agreement over permanent status issues, claiming, however, that demarcation of borders with the Palestinian state to be established was fairly easy.
While saying that Palestinians have accepted postponing Jerusalem’s issue to the final phase of the permanent status negotiations, he claimed that Israel was not confiscating land for building purposes or establishing new settlements.
On Tuesday, the Israeli cabinet announced establishing thousands of houses for settlers in Jerusalem despite strong Palestinian objections.
According to Olmert, this was done with the approval of the US to keep major settlements in the West Bank and continue construction in Jerusalem.