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| Israel approves new settlement between Jerusalem and Bethlehem | Israel approves new settlement between Jerusalem and Bethlehem |
| (4 months later) | |
| Israel's spate of settlement expansion around Jerusalem has increased again with the approval of 2,612 homes in a move likely to further inflame international criticism of Binyamin Netanyahu's government. | Israel's spate of settlement expansion around Jerusalem has increased again with the approval of 2,612 homes in a move likely to further inflame international criticism of Binyamin Netanyahu's government. |
| Givat Hamatos, across the pre-1967 Green Line between southern Jerusalem and Bethlehem, will be the first new discrete settlement created since 1997. Critics say it will become part of a chain of settlements in the area, further impeding access between the two biblical cities. | Givat Hamatos, across the pre-1967 Green Line between southern Jerusalem and Bethlehem, will be the first new discrete settlement created since 1997. Critics say it will become part of a chain of settlements in the area, further impeding access between the two biblical cities. |
| European diplomats in Jerusalem have warned that the construction of Givat Hamatos is a "game-changer" which could destroy the chance of a viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. A diplomatic source said the approval of the new settlement was "a devastating development for all those who believe in a two-state solution". | European diplomats in Jerusalem have warned that the construction of Givat Hamatos is a "game-changer" which could destroy the chance of a viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. A diplomatic source said the approval of the new settlement was "a devastating development for all those who believe in a two-state solution". |
| The decision by a Jerusalem planning committee followed an announcement on Monday to build an extra 1,500 homes in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo, and the authorisation by Netanyahu last month of development of a controversial expanse of land near Jerusalem. The latter, known as E1, is considered another "game-changer" by European diplomats. | The decision by a Jerusalem planning committee followed an announcement on Monday to build an extra 1,500 homes in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo, and the authorisation by Netanyahu last month of development of a controversial expanse of land near Jerusalem. The latter, known as E1, is considered another "game-changer" by European diplomats. |
| The moves have attracted growing international censure. The four European members of the United Nations security council were on Wednesday reported to be drawing up a strong joint condemnation of the recent announcements. | The moves have attracted growing international censure. The four European members of the United Nations security council were on Wednesday reported to be drawing up a strong joint condemnation of the recent announcements. |
| The unusual statement, expected this week, from the UK, France, Germany and Portugal is set to follow blunt criticism from the United States on Tuesday. The state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: "We are deeply disappointed that Israel insists on continuing this pattern of provocative action. These repeated announcements and plans of new construction run counter to the cause of peace. Israel's leaders continually say that they support a path towards a two-state solution yet these actions only put that goal further at risk." | The unusual statement, expected this week, from the UK, France, Germany and Portugal is set to follow blunt criticism from the United States on Tuesday. The state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: "We are deeply disappointed that Israel insists on continuing this pattern of provocative action. These repeated announcements and plans of new construction run counter to the cause of peace. Israel's leaders continually say that they support a path towards a two-state solution yet these actions only put that goal further at risk." |
| William Hague, the British foreign secretary, urged Israel to revoke the decision, saying that if it was implemented, "it would make a negotiated two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, very difficult to achieve". All Israeli settlements were "illegal under international law", he added. | William Hague, the British foreign secretary, urged Israel to revoke the decision, saying that if it was implemented, "it would make a negotiated two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, very difficult to achieve". All Israeli settlements were "illegal under international law", he added. |
| French officials also sharply condemned the move, describing it as illegal colonisation. | French officials also sharply condemned the move, describing it as illegal colonisation. |
| According to Palestine's envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, all members of the 15-strong security council, with the exception of the US, will add their weight to international condemnation following the council's Middle East meeting on Wednesday. They will say continuing settlement activity is illegal and must stop, he said. | According to Palestine's envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, all members of the 15-strong security council, with the exception of the US, will add their weight to international condemnation following the council's Middle East meeting on Wednesday. They will say continuing settlement activity is illegal and must stop, he said. |
| On Tuesday, the general assembly passed a non-binding resolution condemning settlement activity by 196 votes to six. | On Tuesday, the general assembly passed a non-binding resolution condemning settlement activity by 196 votes to six. |
| Netanyahu has made clear that the acceleration of settlement expansion around Jerusalem is a direct response to the UN general assembly's recognition of the state of Palestine last month. | Netanyahu has made clear that the acceleration of settlement expansion around Jerusalem is a direct response to the UN general assembly's recognition of the state of Palestine last month. |
| But some Israeli analysts believe it is also being driven by next month's general election in Israel, in a bid to consolidate the rightwing vote for the ruling Likud party in coalition with the hardliner Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu. | But some Israeli analysts believe it is also being driven by next month's general election in Israel, in a bid to consolidate the rightwing vote for the ruling Likud party in coalition with the hardliner Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu. |
| "This is our [election] campaign," a Likud source told the Israeli daily Ma'ariv. "Until now, it has worked excellently. The timing is deliberate." | "This is our [election] campaign," a Likud source told the Israeli daily Ma'ariv. "Until now, it has worked excellently. The timing is deliberate." |
| Although the Likud-Beiteinu alliance is expected to emerge from the election with the biggest number of seats, opinion polls show it risks losing significant votes to the far-right pro-settler Jewish Home party. | Although the Likud-Beiteinu alliance is expected to emerge from the election with the biggest number of seats, opinion polls show it risks losing significant votes to the far-right pro-settler Jewish Home party. |
| Jeremy Gimpel, a Jewish Home candidate, said: "[Netanyahu] is scared of losing votes to my party. We're the fasting growing party, so he has a political interest in making [settlement] announcements as loudly as possible." | Jeremy Gimpel, a Jewish Home candidate, said: "[Netanyahu] is scared of losing votes to my party. We're the fasting growing party, so he has a political interest in making [settlement] announcements as loudly as possible." |
| Construction on E1 has been opposed by the US for many years as it would in effect close off East Jerusalem – intended to be the future capital of Palestine – from the West Bank, and further divide the West Bank into northern and southern spheres. | Construction on E1 has been opposed by the US for many years as it would in effect close off East Jerusalem – intended to be the future capital of Palestine – from the West Bank, and further divide the West Bank into northern and southern spheres. |
| The Ramat Shlomo plan caused a major diplomatic row between Israel and the US when it was first announced during a visit to Jerusalem by the US vice-president, Joe Biden, in the spring of 2010. | The Ramat Shlomo plan caused a major diplomatic row between Israel and the US when it was first announced during a visit to Jerusalem by the US vice-president, Joe Biden, in the spring of 2010. |
| The Jerusalem planning committee also approved the construction of around 600 homes designated for Palestinians near Givat Hamatos. | The Jerusalem planning committee also approved the construction of around 600 homes designated for Palestinians near Givat Hamatos. |
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