Israel sets plans for more homes in West Bank settlements

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Israel announced plans Friday to build 100 more homes in two West Bank settlements, one deep inside the territory sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

Israel's housing minister said Israel never promised to freeze all such construction, although a U.S.-backed peace plan calls for a moratorium on settlement building.

In a television interview, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the expansion of settlements has emerged as a key obstacle to progress in peace negotiations with Israel.

The talks resumed after a U.S.-hosted peace conference in November, but there has been little visible progress. Since November, Israel has announced several building projects in areas of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians.

Friday's announcement marked the first time that the government has approved construction deep inside the West Bank, in the settlement of Ariel. It also authoritized new homes for the Elkana settlement."

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[The Magistrate]

1. This Sort Of Thing, Sir, Is Not Helpful To Anyone

The Israeli government needs to leave off 'expansion' of settlements in any guise and under any pretext.

[subsuelo]

4. Why do you think it continues?

Like dousing a fire with gasoline, if you ask me

[The Magistrate]

5. Hard To Say, Sir

One problem in democracies is a that small, coherent group that cares a great deal can sway policy in the face of a large, but inchoate group that does not agree, but does not place a very high value on the matter in dispute. Most Israelis do not support the settlement policy, and dislike the settlers, but they do not make up their minds how they will cast their votes over the settlement issue alone, and if they agree with a political figure on some things, but not on that, will still vote for him or her. Those who support the settlement policy will not do so, but will only vote for politicians who are 'whole hog' on the matter.

The power of money should never be under-rated either. Settlers receive certain subsidies; building homes is employment: a great deal of business activity stems from the enterprise.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Area A settlment expansion? Utterly transparent. Shame!!!

[Snarkoleptic]

3. Steal land...they don't make it anymore!

Shameful.