Arab states: World must put an end to 'Israeli arrogance'

57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference condemns Israel for renewing settlement construction in East Jerusalem, says it's a 'provocative step intended to sabotage peace process.'
By Haaretz Service

The Organization of the Islamic Conference condemned Israel on Saturday for renewing settlement construction in East Jerusalem and urged the international community to put an end to what it called "Israeli arrogance."

According to Israel Radio, the 57-nation OIC, the world's largest pan-Islamic grouping based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said that Israel's approval of nearly 240 new housing units in East Jerusalem is a provocative step intended to sabotage the peace process.

Palestinian man works at a construction site in a West Bank settlement on Monday, September 27, 2010.
Photo by: AP

The OIC's secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in a statement that Israel's behavior requires action by the international community to put a halt to Israel's arrogance.

Earlier Saturday, Egypt said that Israel's building permits for 238 new housing units in East Jerusalem are a sign that direct peace talks could collapse. On Friday, the Arab League said it may ask the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel goes ahead with building settlements.

The United States on Friday also expressed 'disappointment' by Israel's approval of new settlement construction, saying "it is contrary to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties."