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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| West Bank construction criticised | West Bank construction criticised |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| More homes are under construction per inhabitant in the occupied West Bank than inside Israel despite recent curbs on construction, says Peace Now. | More homes are under construction per inhabitant in the occupied West Bank than inside Israel despite recent curbs on construction, says Peace Now. |
| The rights group said 1,167 homes were being built for every 100,000 West Bank settlers, compared to just 836 for the same number of Israeli residents. | The rights group said 1,167 homes were being built for every 100,000 West Bank settlers, compared to just 836 for the same number of Israeli residents. |
| The Palestinians have refused to return to peace talks without a total halt to building in settlements. | The Palestinians have refused to return to peace talks without a total halt to building in settlements. |
| Settlers are beginning to arrive at a protest against the construction pause. | Settlers are beginning to arrive at a protest against the construction pause. |
| Palestinians say the new Israeli policy of restraint in building on the land they want for a future state does not go far enough. | Palestinians say the new Israeli policy of restraint in building on the land they want for a future state does not go far enough. |
| But Israeli settlers have been angered by the move, made under US pressure, by the right-leaning government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. | But Israeli settlers have been angered by the move, made under US pressure, by the right-leaning government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. |
| 'No basis in reality' | 'No basis in reality' |
| Under the new Israeli policy, permits for new homes in the West Bank will not be approved for 10 months. | Under the new Israeli policy, permits for new homes in the West Bank will not be approved for 10 months. |
| But municipal buildings and about 3,000 homes already under construction will still be allowed to go ahead. | But municipal buildings and about 3,000 homes already under construction will still be allowed to go ahead. |
| Israeli settlement in close-up Palestinian builders' dilemma Obstacles to peace: Settlements | Israeli settlement in close-up Palestinian builders' dilemma Obstacles to peace: Settlements |
| Scuffles have erupted in the past week as Israeli settlers held protests and tried to block building inspectors from entering their communities to enforce the new rules. | Scuffles have erupted in the past week as Israeli settlers held protests and tried to block building inspectors from entering their communities to enforce the new rules. |
| But, on the basis of the official figures, Peace Now said "the settler's claims of discrimination and attempts to 'dry out' the settlements have no basis in reality". | But, on the basis of the official figures, Peace Now said "the settler's claims of discrimination and attempts to 'dry out' the settlements have no basis in reality". |
| "Even during the freeze a larger number of housing units than the national average will be built in the occupied territories," it said. | "Even during the freeze a larger number of housing units than the national average will be built in the occupied territories," it said. |
| Israeli politicians and media have been referring to the restrictions as a "freeze", although Palestinians say they are far from the total building halt, including in East Jerusalem, that they have demanded. | Israeli politicians and media have been referring to the restrictions as a "freeze", although Palestinians say they are far from the total building halt, including in East Jerusalem, that they have demanded. |
| Settler groups have begun to arrive for a rally outside Mr Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday to protest against the curbs. | Settler groups have begun to arrive for a rally outside Mr Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday to protest against the curbs. |
| The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says the settlers feel betrayed by a government they thought was on their side. | The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says the settlers feel betrayed by a government they thought was on their side. |
| Israel could just be acting tactically, trying to make the Palestinians look like the roadblock to negotiations, our correspondent says. | Israel could just be acting tactically, trying to make the Palestinians look like the roadblock to negotiations, our correspondent says. |
| But even so, he adds, the Israeli government may have to choose between peace with the Palestinians or peace with the settlers. | But even so, he adds, the Israeli government may have to choose between peace with the Palestinians or peace with the settlers. |
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