Israel approves new settlement between Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Source: Guardian
Israel's spate of settlement expansion around Jerusalem has increased again with the approval of 2,612 homes in a move likely to further inflame international criticism of Binyamin Netanyahu's government.
Givat Hamatos, across the pre-1967 Green Line between southern Jerusalem and Bethlehem, will be the first new discrete settlement created since 1997. Critics say it will become part of a chain of settlements in the area, further impeding access between the two biblical cities.
European diplomats in Jerusalem have warned that the construction of Givat Hamatos is a "game-changer" which could destroy the chance of a viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. A diplomatic source said the approval of the new settlement was "a devastating development for all those who believe in a two-state solution".
The decision by a Jerusalem planning committee followed an announcement on Monday to build an extra 1,500 homes in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo, and the authorisation by Netanyahu last month of development of a controversial expanse of land near Jerusalem. The latter, known as E1, is considered another "game-changer" by European diplomats.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/19/israel-approves-settlement-jerusalem-bethlehem
This is NOT A DUPLICATE of this from yesterday : Israel presses on with plan for 6,000 new settler homes http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014341801
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