The Likud opposition party released a statement in response to an interview granted to al-Jazeera by Defense Minister Ehud Barak in which Barak stated portions of eastern Yerushalayim will become part of a future Palestinian state.

Likud�s statement opposes the ceding of lands in Yerushalayim, which the party explains would only serve as a base for terrorism and a launching pad for attacks against other areas in the capital.

�Yerushalayim must remain under Israeli sovereignty for nationalistic and security reasons.�

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)