(JNS.org) In the face of criticism from the U.S. and European Union, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Oct. 27, defended his decision to advance 1,060 new housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Ramat Shlomo and Har Homa, which are both located beyond the pre-1967 lines.

“The French build in Paris, the English build in London, and the Israelis build in Jerusalem. To come and tell Jews not to build in Jerusalem – why? Because it will heat up the atmosphere? To certain elements in the region, our very existence is what heats up the atmosphere,” Netanyahu said at the Knesset. “There is broad agreement among the public that Israel has every right to build in the Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the settlement blocs,” he added. “Every Israeli government over the past 50 years has done so. It is also clear to the Palestinians that these places will remain in Israel in any future agreement.”