Clinton slams Israeli demolition of hotel

The demolition of a hotel complex in east Jerusalem has been condemned by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said Israel’s decision to destroy the hotel undermined chances for peace with Palestine.

Speaking from Middle East peace process talks in Abu Dhabi, Clinton said in a statement: “We are very concerned about the initiation of demolition of the Shepherd's Hotel in east Jerusalem.

“In particular, this move contradicts the logic of a reasonable and necessary agreement between the parties on the status of Jerusalem.

"We believe that through good faith negotiations, the parties should mutually agree on an outcome that realises the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem, and safeguards its status for people around the world.

"Ultimately, the lack of a resolution to this conflict harms Israel, harms the Palestinians, and harms the US and the international community,” she added.

The move to demolish the hotel — which is reportedly being demolished to create luxury apartments for Jewish settlers —was met with outrage by Palestinians, who consider it to be a symbol of their presence in the city.

Palestinian presidency spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeineh said in a statement released by the state-run news agency Wafa that it was not Israel's right ‘to build new buildings in any part of east Jerusalem or the territories occupied by Israel in 1967’.

"Israel is carrying out many measures, mainly demolition and settlement in Jerusalem. These measures would undermine all the efforts to push forward the stalled peace process," the statement said.

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas has insisted he will not hold peace talks while Israel continues to build on land which the Palestinians want for their future state.