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December 2, 2008 11:50:06 AM CST

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Israel Plans to Expand Settlements

Posted Dec 23, 07 9:28 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – The road to Arab-Israeli peace could take yet another detour, the New York Times says, after Israel announced plans today to seek funding for the expansion of two Jewish settlements in areas Palestinians hope to claim for a future state. The two sides are expected to meet tomorrow, but Palestine’s chief negotiator warned the talks would have “no meaning” if Israel moves forward with its plans.

According to its 2008 budget proposal, Israel plans to build 500 apartments in a fiercely contested part of East Jerusalem and another 240 in Maale Adumim, its largest West Bank settlement and one it intends to keep under any long-term peace agreement. Israel also turned down calls for a Gaza cease-fire, refusing to negotiate directly with  Hamas, which controls the territory. 

Source New York Times

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Last month's peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders hosted in Annapolis, Maryland, by President Bush could be threatened by a budget proposal from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian construction worker builds a new housing development in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Sunday Dec. 23, 2007. Israel has plans to build an additional 740...   (Associated Press)
A border policeman tries to enter a mock "Palestinian outpost" in order to remove demonstrators in an area between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007. Palestinian...   (Associated Press)
A settler holds up an Israeli flag to protest a mock "Palestinian outpost" as a police officer tries to remove him on in an area between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian man looks at the construction of new housing units in the Israeli neighborhood of Har Homa in the eastern part of Jerusalem, Sunday Dec. 23, 2007. Israel has plans to build an additional...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's administration has submitted a budget proposal that seeks to build more housing for Jewish residents in areas that the Palestinians claim for their future state. ...   (Associated Press)
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Israel • Hamas • Palestine • Ehud Olmert • West Bank • Arab Israeli conflict • settlement • Ehud Barak • East Jerusalem • Har Homa • road map


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