In Israel and the Occupied Territories, the Israeli government has announced it will refuse to negotiate the long-term status of Jerusalem as part of ongoing peace talks with Palestinian leaders. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said a deal could be reached on other issues but that Jerusalem won’t even be discussed until at least next year. Palestinians have long called for East Jerusalem as the capital of any future state. In Gaza, Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar criticized the Israeli move.

Mahmoud al-Zahar: “No peace process will be achieved, either in this year or the expected years. Israel, backed by America, is not intended to give the Palestinian people their basic demand, by establishment of an independent state. And for this reason, we resorted to the military activities in order to push the occupation and to make an end by our alternative method.”

Israel’s decision coincided with another demolition of a Palestinian residential building in East Jerusalem. Israeli officials say the owner hadn’t obtained the proper permits. Israel has demolished hundreds of Palestinian homes over the last decade.