By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that the Jewish state will continue building housing units in Jewish settlements already existing in occupied East Jerusalem.
Olmert, at a joint news conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday, said Israel wanted to keep the Jewish settlements under its control regardless of any political agreement with the Palestinians.
“When we build in Jerusalem, everybody knows that the State of Israel can’t ignore a neighbourhood like Har Homa,” which is built on Abu Ghunaim mountain, he said.
Olmert pledged not to relinquish Jewish settlements within the framework of a final agreement with the Palestinians. He said that his government would take all measures to protect the Israelis.
He also said that Israel was committed to the peace process with the Palestinians.