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Israel approves settlement plans Israeli PM 'to back settlements'
(about 4 hours later)
The Israeli cabinet has approved plans by PM Benjamin Netanyahu to build hundreds of new homes in the West Bank, despite strong US opposition. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will stick to plans to approve hundreds of new homes in the West Bank, despite strong US opposition, an ally says.
Transport Minister Yisrael Katz told public radio Mr Netanyahu would announce the plans in the coming days.
Israeli media reports suggest that up to 700 apartments could be built in Jewish settlements.Israeli media reports suggest that up to 700 apartments could be built in Jewish settlements.
On Friday, the US urged its ally to abandon its West Bank construction agenda, for the sake of reviving Middle East peace talks. The US has urged Israel to halt its West Bank construction agenda, to revive Middle East peace talks.
A Hamas spokesman has said President Obama has "failed" over the issue. According to Israeli media, after approving the new settlement construction, Mr Netanyahu would then agree to a temporary and conditional settlement halt.
On Friday, White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said the US regretted Israel's plans to expand settlements. "We are not speaking about a freeze," but rather an "easing" of construction, Mr Katz told public radio.
"As the president has said before, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge that to stop," Mr Gibbs said in a statement. At the beginning of Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting, National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, from the Yisrael Beiteinu party, said: "I don't see any reason to stop constructionÂ… we should simply go on with that," reports Associated Press TV news.
Such actions make a climate for talks "harder to create", the White House press secretary added.
The work in the West Bank will be in addition to 2,500 units already under construction in East Jerusalem, an area which the Palestinians have laid claim as a capital for a future state.
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 settlementsWEST 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
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. However, Labour party cabinet minister Avishay Braverman said "there will be a freezing, I am clear, of any new settlements".
It is expected that any moratorium on construction would exclude some 2,500 homes already being built in the West Bank, as well as any developments in annexed East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians hope to make the capital of a future state.
On Friday, White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said the US regretted the plans to expand settlements.
Israel says it wants to continue building to allow for what it calls the "natural growth" of communities.
A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said on Sunday that Israel's continued plans to press ahead with its settlement programme proved that US President Barack Obama had failed in his mediation attempts.A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said on Sunday that Israel's continued plans to press ahead with its settlement programme proved that US President Barack Obama had failed in his mediation attempts.
The Palestinians have made the resumption of peace talks conditional on a halt to all settlement activity by Israel.The Palestinians have made the resumption of peace talks conditional on a halt to all settlement activity by Israel.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat has said the new construction plans undermined efforts to revive the peace process.Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat has said the new construction plans undermined efforts to revive the peace process.
The issue is expected to be discussed when Benjamin Netanyahu's aides meet US special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, next week.The issue is expected to be discussed when Benjamin Netanyahu's aides meet US special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, next week.
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.
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