BBC
Netanyahu refuses to budge over Jerusalem construction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File photo
Mr Netanyahu said "there will be no freeze in Jerusalem"
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has again rejected US calls to halt construction in occupied East Jerusalem.
He was speaking as US Middle East envoy George Mitchell arrived in the region to try to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
It is his first visit since a row broke out between Israel and the US over home construction plans in East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the UN said it could not educate thousands of Palestinian pupils because of Israel's blockade of Gaza.
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, John Ging, said the blockade made it impossible to build new schools to accommodate the growing numbers of students.
Israel imposed the siege after the militant Hamas movement seized control over the Gaza Strip in 2007.
'Status quo unsustainable'
"I am saying one thing: there will be no freeze in Jerusalem," Mr Netanyahu said on Israel's Channel 2 TV.
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New constructions in the holy city? It has to happen eventually, people live there after all. But I have noticed a trend where Israel continues to build and expand during the "talks" about whether they should expand. If they keep talking long enough, it will be a moot point.
