US Envoy Cancels Trip Amid US-Israel Feud

Row fuels tension in volatile East Jerusalem
By Emily Rauhala,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 16, 2010 5:00 AM CDT
US Envoy Cancels Trip Amid US-Israel Feud
A Palestinian demonstrator tries to avoid tear gas during clashes with Israeli troops in east Jerusalem.    (AP Photo/Muammar Awad)

An American envoy today postponed a trip to Israel, deepening the diplomatic crisis that erupted during Joe Biden's visit last week. The feud is fueling tensions in east Jerusalem, where Israel plans to build 1,600 apartment for Jews. Early this morning, masked Palestinians hurled rocks at Israeli police and burned tires in multiple areas. Police fired stun grenades to disperse protesters, though no injuries were reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized for the timing of the project's approval, but he has not said it would be canceled. The announcement enraged Palestinians, who have threatened to bow out of US-brokered peace talks that were supposed to have begun in the coming days. (More Arab Israeli conflict stories.)

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