Wednesday, August 13

Israelis say settlement building and expansion will not stop in East Jerusalem and West Bank

A spokesman for the main body of settlers said yesterday, Monday, that Israel has proposed building a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank near Jerusalem.

No comment was given by the Israeli security department which supervises the case on this step, which will see the Palestinians and Israel's allies in the United States and Europe in violation of its commitments to stop settlement activity on Palestinian land for the independent state.

The Palestinians already accused Israel of not implementing its commitments under the "peace process"sponsored by the US in Annapolis because of its approval of the expansion of other settlements, most recently in occupied Jerusalem. The Israelis gave the green light last month to build a completely new settlement in the Jordan Valley.

The settlers said that 40 trailers for the colonizers have been placed without official, but implicit, approval.

Elisha Howlandr, spokesperson for the Council of Jewish Settlements issued a report published by the newspaper Yediot Aharonot that the Security Ministry officials suggested the transfer of several families from an unauthorized settler enclave to another site in the West Bank.

Howlandr told Reuters that the Council of Jewish Settlements will meet this week to discuss “a proposal by the Defense Ministry for the building of a major permanent settlement in the vicinity of Ramallah.”

All Israeli settlers and settlements exist in direct contravention to international law.

The Israeli government continues to expand settlements, essentially building new ones by linking others together under the same name. But to build something entirely new is not the current norm. The Israelis say they will not heed international protests and instead still expect to move forward with the “peace agreement.”

Palestinians are protesting on the ground and through the Israeli Supreme Court.

The Israeli Government insists it will continue to expand existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, which also contravenes international law and United Nations resolutions.

As stated by Palestinian and international officials, Israeli settlements and the military that accompany them are stifling the Palestinian economy and are rendering the notion of an independent state impossible.
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