Palestinians reject train links between West Bank and Jerusalem

Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Wednesday an Israeli plan to connect Jerusalem with settlements in the West Bank via a light train.

The ministry said in an emailed press statement that such projects are considered to be a declaration of gradual annexation of wide areas of the West Bank.

"The Israeli government seeks to connect settlements in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, with nearby Israeli cities, which would lead to cutting Jerusalem off it's Palestinian surrounding, changing it's features and concealing it's Palestinian identity and heritage," said the statement.

The ministry highlighted that this plan would encourage more settlers to move for living in West Bank settlements, particularly those around Jerusalem, advancing the so-called "greater Jerusalem" plan that would turn the Jerusalemites into a minority amidst a sea of settlers.

The ministry called on the international community, the UN and it's relevant agencies, to shoulder responsibilities toward this new dangerous settlement escalation that risks blowing up the entire situation.

The ministry stressed that any international movement must be swift to stop this unprecedented settlement attack.

Israeli public radio said that Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz has approved a plan earlier on Wednesday to connect Jerusalem with settlements within the Green Line by a light train.

The report said that the train would move from Jerusalem to Maale Adumin, Givat Ze'ev, Adam and settlements near Ramallah in both directions.

Katz reportedly said that all Israelis must receive equal transportation service, every where they live. Endit