This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8239009.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US renews 'halt settlements' plea | US renews 'halt settlements' plea |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US government has again urged Israel to halt its policy of expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. | The US government has again urged Israel to halt its policy of expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. |
| Such actions make a climate for talks "harder to create", the White House press secretary said. | Such actions make a climate for talks "harder to create", the White House press secretary said. |
| "We regret reports of Israel's plans to approve additional settlement construction [which] is inconsistent with Israel's roadmap commitment." | "We regret reports of Israel's plans to approve additional settlement construction [which] is inconsistent with Israel's roadmap commitment." |
| The comments referred to the reported plans by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. | The comments referred to the reported plans by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. |
| According to one of his aides, Mr Netanyahu, is expected to back work on hundreds of new homes next week in addition to 2,500 units already being built. | |
| He said a temporary moratorium would be put in place if the "conditions are right", including if the Arab states were forthcoming in providing Israel with normalisation gestures. | He said a temporary moratorium would be put in place if the "conditions are right", including if the Arab states were forthcoming in providing Israel with normalisation gestures. |
| The news angered the Palestinians who said it was "absolutely unacceptable". | The news angered the Palestinians who said it was "absolutely unacceptable". |
| 'Moratorium' | 'Moratorium' |
| The US has been pushing Israel to accept the Palestinians' demand for a complete halt to all settlement building in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, before they will resume peace negotiations. | The US has been pushing Israel to accept the Palestinians' demand for a complete halt to all settlement building in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, before they will resume peace negotiations. |
| But Israel wants to continue building to allow for what it calls the "natural growth" of communities there, and refuses to halt construction in East Jerusalem. | But Israel wants to continue building to allow for what it calls the "natural growth" of communities there, and refuses to halt construction in East Jerusalem. |
| WEST BANK SETTLEMENTS Construction of settlements began in 1967, shortly after the Middle East WarSome 280,000 Israelis now live in the 121 officially-recognised settlements in the West BankA further 190,000 Israelis live in settlements in Palestinian East JerusalemThe largest West Bank settlement is Maale Adumim, where more than 30,000 people were living in 2005There are a further 102 unauthorised outposts in the West Bank which are not officially recognised by IsraelThe population of West Bank settlements has been growing at a rate of 5-6% since 2001Source: Peace Now Challenge of Israeli settlements | WEST BANK SETTLEMENTS Construction of settlements began in 1967, shortly after the Middle East WarSome 280,000 Israelis now live in the 121 officially-recognised settlements in the West BankA further 190,000 Israelis live in settlements in Palestinian East JerusalemThe largest West Bank settlement is Maale Adumim, where more than 30,000 people were living in 2005There are a further 102 unauthorised outposts in the West Bank which are not officially recognised by IsraelThe population of West Bank settlements has been growing at a rate of 5-6% since 2001Source: Peace Now Challenge of Israeli settlements |
| Mr Netanyahu is under pressure from right-wingers in his governing coalition, including his own Likud party, to resist the call to freeze settlement building. | Mr Netanyahu is under pressure from right-wingers in his governing coalition, including his own Likud party, to resist the call to freeze settlement building. |
| The issue is expected to be discussed when Mr Netanyahu's aides meet US President Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, next week. | The issue is expected to be discussed when Mr Netanyahu's aides meet US President Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, next week. |
| The development comes a day after the Israeli media quoted unnamed US and Israeli officials saying that a US-Israel deal was close, which would entail a "temporary moratorium" on building, excluding units already under construction. | The development comes a day after the Israeli media quoted unnamed US and Israeli officials saying that a US-Israel deal was close, which would entail a "temporary moratorium" on building, excluding units already under construction. |
| But the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says the key question now is whether the other players in this diplomatic dance will accept Israel's definition of a settlement freeze. | But the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says the key question now is whether the other players in this diplomatic dance will accept Israel's definition of a settlement freeze. |
| Under the US-backed 2003 roadmap peace plan, Israel is obliged to end all settlement activity. | Under the US-backed 2003 roadmap peace plan, Israel is obliged to end all settlement activity. |
| The plan also requires the Palestinian Authority to crack down on militants who seek to attack Israelis. | The plan also requires the Palestinian Authority to crack down on militants who seek to attack Israelis. |
| Close to 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem. The settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. | Close to 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem. The settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. |
| Are you in the region? What is your reaction to the Israeli government's stance on settlements? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in the region? What is your reaction to the Israeli government's stance on settlements? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |