Barghouthi: Netanyau’s statement on temporary settlement freeze deceptive

MP Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi, the secretary general of the national initiative party, has described the Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s temporary settlement freeze as “malicious” and aimed at excluding Jerusalem from the Palestinian occupied lands.

He said in a press release on Wednesday that excluding Jerusalem and 3,000 under construction housing units along with natural growth, government centers, schools, public utilities and synagogues from the temporary freeze affirmed that the step was “deceptive”. He described the step as completely unacceptable.

The party leader said that Netanyahu did not conceal his intention to issue new building orders in the settlements in the West Bank after end of that period.

Barghouthi also charged Netanyahu with lying regarding removal of military barriers while 600 roadblocks are still existent all over the West Bank, and regarding freedom of worship while 96% of the Palestinians are deprived from reaching Jerusalem to offer their prayers.