Israeli Expansion Plan Raises Storm

Palestinian officials warned Saturday that Israeli plans to build a new Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem could destroy the whole Middle East peace process.

“Jerusalem is a fireball, and it will burn everything if the Israeli side continues with its stubborn ways,” said Ahmed Abdel Rahman, secretary of Yasser Arafat’s Cabinet. He spoke after a five-hour Cabinet meeting that started Friday night and ended early Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Friday that he will go ahead with construction of the 6,500-home Jewish neighborhood of Har Homa despite fierce Palestinian opposition, Israel radio said.