Israel announced plans Monday for 500 new housing units in the West Bank, after an apparent U.S. policy shift that has infuriated the Palestinians. The Palestinians oppose all Jewish settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, lands where they hope to establish an independent state. The United States, which supports the Gaza pullout plan, has signaled recently that it will allow Israel to build inside existing West Bank settlements, while remaining opposed to construction in undeveloped areas. In the past, Washington has objected to all settlement construction. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli reinforced those signals Monday when he characterized the construction freeze as an ultimate goal, adding, "And we will continue to work with the government of Israel toward a settlement freeze, as is called for in the road map." The Palestinians have said that U.S. approval of the new construction would threaten prospects for peace, and they demanded a clarification from Washington.
| I thought it was pretty clear. |
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia accused Israel of escalating tensions. "While it is talking about evacuating settlements in Gaza, it is expanding all settlements in the West Bank," Qureia said Monday. "This will not bring about stability nor will it bring peace."
| Always amusing to listen to a Paleo talk about stability and peace. |
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