Israel to build 100 settler homes

[Praxius]

About 430,000 Jewish settlers are living in the West Bank

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7354146.stm

The Israeli housing ministry has invited tenders for the construction of 100 new homes at settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The houses are to be built at Ariel and El Kana in the northern West Bank, despite international calls for a freeze on settlement activity.

Israel argues its requirement to freeze settlements under the 2003 peace roadmap does not apply here.

Palestinian official Saeb Erakat said the building "sabotaged" peace efforts.

Israel has also announced it will allow the reopening of 20 Palestinian police stations in the West Bank.

A Palestinian spokesman said it would help to boost the security efforts of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier, the Israeli army announced that troops had shot dead a leading Palestinian militant at the Balata refugee camp near the West Bank town of Nablus.

He was named as Hani al-Kabi, a local leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades group.

'Bad faith'
The US and Europe have pressed Israel to halt settlement activity.


The Israeli government argues that it is building new homes on existing settlements, not establishing new settlements.

"This construction... [is] in the framework of the policy of the government because it will be construction inside the built-up area of existing settlement blocks," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told AFP.

Palestinians see continued settlement building as a sign of Israeli bad faith in the peace talks being conducted with the Palestinian Authority of Mahmoud Abbas, which runs Palestinian areas of the West Bank.

"We firmly condemn the continuation of settlements," said Mr Erekat.

"Such a decision sabotages the peace process and the negotiations."

All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Meanwhile, an Israeli decision to close off the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a week over the Jewish holiday of Passover has come into effect.
Israel says the ban has been introduced for security reasons.

Do as they please it seems.

 

[Liberalman]

Israel has every right to build more homes there.

The freeze was dependent Palestine not attacking Israel they broke that a long time ago so it’s fair game.

They should bring all the settlements back as they were before.

 

[lone wolf]

See? Hamas, Palestine, Syria, Israel.... It doesn't matter who makes the proposal for peace. The Middle east narcissist will push and push it's finger into the hornets' nest. Rest assured, it will be the hornet's fault again when one of them get stung ... again.

Woof!

 

[YoungJoonKim]

I don't understand the significance of Palestinian State...
There will just be more poverty and death...
why fight?
Is it for freedom or sovereignty?
Or is it just self greed and hatred?
I just hope to see the day when Palestinians and Israelites will live peacefully together...I know some do. They love each other...
But because of this conflict and so-called "freedom," so much has been destroyed...so much..
Gosh..I hate Hamas..and Israel government..

 

[lone wolf]

I don't understand the significance of Palestinian State...
There will just be more poverty and death...
why fight?
Is it for freedom or sovereignty?
Or is it just self greed and hatred?
I just hope to see the day when Palestinians and Israelites will live peacefully together...I know some do. They love each other...
But because of this conflict and so-called "freedom," so much has been destroyed...so much..
Gosh..I hate Hamas..and Israel government..

I think they fight because all the drama keeps the attention focused on them. Both sides are like alcoholics. They thrive on chaos.

Woof!

 

[YoungJoonKim]

you tell me...
its been going on forever, its not serious anymore.
Imagine innocent lives its costing..and little that's left of relation between Jews and Palestinian..