Israel Approves 50 Settler Homes

Israel risked sparking a row with Washington after the government gave the go ahead to building 50 new Jewish homes at this settlement in the occupied West bank.

President Obama is pressing Israel to halt all settlement activity as part of a bid to revive peace talks with the Palestinians.

News of the construction plans emerged hours before Defense Minister Ehud Barak was due to fly to Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to declare a settlement freeze, saying that some construction should continue to match population growth within the enclaves.

Senior Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Sunday that Netanyahu is seeking an understanding with the Obama administration that would allow construction already under way in settlements to go forward.

The expansion of Jewish settlements is one of the key obstacles blocking the road to peace.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas interrupted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new West Bank neighborhood to denounce the expansion.

[Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President]:
"Israel did not even accomplish one of its required tasks. Israel's most important duty is to halt all forms of settlement activities, including what it refers to as natural growth. We will not accept the continuation of settlements that devour our land, piece by piece and then invite us to negotiate. This is not a precondition, but an obligation."

Israel has sought to ease tensions over settlements by committing to remove more West Bank roadblocks and unauthorized settler outposts.

But the Palestinian Authority insists that until Israel halts all settlement activity there can be no talk of peace.

Category:

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[Queenie0722]

Just what is the problem here? Israel is a sovereign state. They should be able to build as many settlements as they want in THEIR OWN LAND!

[ofri75]

The west bank is considered "palestinian" territory, but many forget / ignore / not mention the fact that it was the HEART of the Israeli country in 1300BC, and also the fact that there were many Jews living in the west bank prior to 1948, and they were ALL murdered or kicked out by the Jordanian army or Arabs in the war in 1948. For example: Two very ancient Jewish communities, that lived for hundreds of years in Hebron and East Jerusalem were all murdered and kicked in 1929 and in 1948.

[Nnfefe]

you shall never have peace

[bella23019]

Israel can build anything it wants in the land given to them by God those who bless who bless Israel will be blessed those who curse her will be cursed! the reason that most of these nations want to divide israel its because they have their "interests" with the muslim nations sad that doing the right thing is not important anymore what matters now is getting more money and power and being friends with terrorists and our own enemies!

[MrNoOne100]

America pays for these homes.

[tigerstailfilm]

Queenie if its THEIR OWN LAND then the people THEIR should get the vote.

[dahaalamnafa]

hello world......please realise who is the real world terrorist...sharon..netanyahu.­..ehudbarak,olmert,shimon peres,golda meir,moshedayan. george bush 1/2etcccc..all this leaders are forever be cursed

[quitearow]

come on Israeli warwhoremongers....can't you see the problem here?

[moppix]

awesome vid