(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - He singled out Israel's recent announcement that it would build new settlement homes in the E1 corridor near Jerusalem. The plan has sparked international protest, Reuters reported Saturday.
Olmert said such plans had been around for years. But making the announcement days after the United States sided with Israel against the Palestinians' successful bid for de facto statehood recognition by the UN General Assembly was a slap in the face to Israel's main ally.
"Bibi Netanyahu," he said, using the prime minister's nickname, "is isolating Israel from the entire world in an unprecedented way, and we will pay a high price in every facet of our lives, and the Israeli public should know it."
The settlement plans have provoked worldwide condemnation, with the United Nations, the United States and the European Union all voicing criticism of the project which they see as complicating any attempts at peace with Palestinians.
In Berlin this week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Netanyahu to avoid "one-sided moves".
End item/ 149
