Right-wing Israeli protesters heckled a group of European diplomats in Jerusalem today. The European Union (EU) delegation came to condemn a new housing project in the contested city.
The Israeli government approved the construction of more than 1,200 homes in the strategic Givat Hamatos on Sunday. The move is controversial because Palestinians say it would cut off the Palestinian city of Bethlehem from East Jerusalem, according to The Associated Press.
On Monday, EU representative to the Palestinians Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff brought a delegation of European diplomats to the neighborhood to voice disagreement with the news. Upon their arrival, a group of Israeli demonstrators from the right-wing Im Tirtzu movement surrounded them and waved Israeli flags. They shouted “Go back to Europe,” “EU, shame on you” and other slogans, The Times of Israel reported. The diplomats then left the area, according to the Israeli news outlet.
Israel gained control of East Jerusalem from Jordan during the 1967 war and claims sovereignty over the entirety of the holy city. EU member states and much of the international community, however, regard east Jerusalem as occupied by Israel. Palestinians also claim Jerusalem as the capital. Jerusalem’s Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites are all in the eastern part of the city.
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