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/7158072.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Israel confirms settlement plans | Israel confirms settlement plans |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Israel plans to build 740 new homes in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, a minister said, despite its commitment to freeze all settlement activity. | Israel plans to build 740 new homes in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, a minister said, despite its commitment to freeze all settlement activity. |
| Rafi Eitan, minister for Jerusalem affairs, said Israel had never promised to stop building within Jerusalem and had a duty to house its citizens. | Rafi Eitan, minister for Jerusalem affairs, said Israel had never promised to stop building within Jerusalem and had a duty to house its citizens. |
| It is budgeting to build 500 new homes in Har Homa and 240 in Maale Adumim. | |
| A Palestinian spokesman condemned the plans, accusing Israel of seeking to destroy renewed peace talks. | |
| Every day we hear a new settlement expansion plan - this cannot be tolerated Saeb ErekatPalestinian negotiator | Every day we hear a new settlement expansion plan - this cannot be tolerated Saeb ErekatPalestinian negotiator |
| The two sides agreed at a peace conference in Annapolis in the US in late November to revive the 2003 peace plan known as the roadmap. | |
| According to the plan, Israel must halt all settlement activity and the Palestinians must rein in militants. | |
| But soon after the conference, Israel announced a tender for 300 homes in Har Homa. | But soon after the conference, Israel announced a tender for 300 homes in Har Homa. |
| Click here to see map of Jerusalem | Click here to see map of Jerusalem |
| Israel annexed Arab East Jerusalem after the 1967 Middle East War, a move not recognised internationally. | |
| 'Integral part' | 'Integral part' |
| News that the construction ministry was budgeting for 740 new settlement homes was reported by the Israeli settlement watchdog, Peace Now. | |
| Har Homa stands on disputed land | Har Homa stands on disputed land |
| The Israeli government has argued that the new homes in Har Homa are part of plans drawn up seven years ago, and that the area - known in Arabic as Abu Ghneim - was in any case not covered by the roadmap. | |
| Thousands of people live in Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem which are expected to remain in Israeli hands under any final peace settlement. | Thousands of people live in Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem which are expected to remain in Israeli hands under any final peace settlement. |
| Critics argue that the network of settlements will disrupt any future attempt to make East Jerusalem capital of a Palestinian state. | Critics argue that the network of settlements will disrupt any future attempt to make East Jerusalem capital of a Palestinian state. |
| "Har Homa is an integral part of Jerusalem and Israel will not stop building there," Mr Eitan said on Israeli Army Radio on Sunday. | "Har Homa is an integral part of Jerusalem and Israel will not stop building there," Mr Eitan said on Israeli Army Radio on Sunday. |
| "It is Israel's duty to provide its citizens with a place to live." | "It is Israel's duty to provide its citizens with a place to live." |
| Maale Adumim stands further out of the city but Mr Eitan insisted it was "an integral part of Jerusalem in any peace accord". | |
| Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel was undermining efforts to renew peacemaking. | Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel was undermining efforts to renew peacemaking. |
| "This is a totally destructive policy," he said. | |
| "Every day we hear a new settlement expansion plan - this cannot be tolerated." | "Every day we hear a new settlement expansion plan - this cannot be tolerated." |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |