United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized the planned demolitions of more than 80 illegally built housing units in eastern Jerusalem, calling the move “unhelpful.” Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat replied that the demolitions orders are legal and that there is no reason criticize them.
Secretary Clinton said the demolitions violate the American Roadmap plan despite the policy’s not mentioning Jerusalem neighborhoods as “settlements.” Her predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, reversed American policy last year by equating the neighborhoods, such as French Hill, Gilo and Ramot, with communities in Judea and Samaria.