Israel sets West Bank settlement expansion

[Violet_Crumble]

JERUSALEM, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Israel revealed plans on Thursday to build 72 housing units in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, despite a call by a U.S.-backed peace "road map" for a halt to settlement expansion.

A spokesman for Israel's Housing Ministry, which invited bids for the project in a newspaper notice, said construction in the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Betar Ilit, near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, could start within a year.

"This is a provocation not only to the Palestinian people but also to the international community," said Palestinian Planning Minister Ghassan al-Khattib.

Peace Now, the Israeli settler watchdog group, said the new project came in addition to a plan announced last year to build 600 housing units at Betar Ilit.

"It means that the policy of building in the territories continues despite the clear commitment in the road map not to build there," Yariv Oppenheimer, a Peace Now spokesman said.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04337927.htm

[number6]

1. ah, the sound of silence

hello, hello, .. anybody out there ....?

[DixieDem]

3. When it gets too close to the truth....

you can hear the crickets chirp. Very sad. Doesn't mean nobody is listening though.

[number6]

2. kick

:kick:

[DixieDem]

4. Extend your right hand in friendship, while

your left hand pick pockets. Okay, Sharon... we've got you pegged. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case. I'm totally discusted now!