The Obama administration summoned the Israeli Ambassador this weekend to register our objection to a proposed building project in East Jerusalem.
The United States has told Israel it must halt an East Jerusalem construction project in accordance with the Obama administration's demands for a complete freeze on settlement building, Israeli radio stations reported on Sunday.
The State Department summoned Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren over the weekend to advise him that the project developed by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz should not go ahead, according to both Israel Radio and Army Radio.
Moskowitz, an influential supporter of Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem, purchased the Shepherd Hotel in 1985 and plans to tear it down and build housing units in its place.
'U.S. tells Israel to halt East Jerusalem building'
The Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, responded by asserting that East Jerusalem is essentially part of Sovereign Israeli territory, and rejects any restrictions.
Strong stuff, and somewhat of a showdown between governments.
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