New Homes, Worker Ban Heighten Tension in Middle East
Published at
iStock/Thinkstock(JERUSALEM) — At a time when tensions in Jerusalem are already sky-high, Israel on Wednesday approved plans to build 78 new homes in East Jerusalem.
Palestinian leaders and domestic critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are furious. The U.S. State Department has also criticized the move.
But it’s not the only incident that has exacerbated tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. Another announcement to bar Arab Israeli workers has set off a national uproar.
Citing security concerns after Tuesday’s synagogue attack, the mayor of the southern city of Asheklon on Thursday banned Arab Israeli construction workers at pre-schools.
The decision has been publicly condemned not just by Arab Israeli leaders but by Netanyahu, the defense minister and the justice minister.
Arab Israeli lawmaker Achmed Tibi called the move, “racist” while Israeli leaders say discrimination against Arab Israelis is not just unacceptable, it’s illegal.
Israel’s attorney general and rights groups are expected to fight the mayor’s move.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio