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Israel Won't Freeze Settlement Activity

Construction plans stymie peace talks

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 27, 2007 2:04 PM CST
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(Newser) – Israel-Palestine negotiations hit a stumbling block today as Israeli PM Ehud Olmert rejected Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' call for an end to all settlement activity, Reuters reports. The impasse has been exacerbated by Israel's announcement of new plans to construct hundreds of houses near East Jerusalem, the proposed site of Palestine's future capital.

After the leaders' first meeting since last month's Annapolis talks, Olmert's spokesman said, "We won't agree with the Palestinians on every issue on day one." The dispute hinges on whether Israel will halt all settlement activities or only new construction. For the time being, Israel has adopted the latter attitude. A Hamas spokesman said Olmert's refusal highlights "the pointlessness of the negotiations."

A Palestinian herder walks with his son past a construction site of new housing units in the Israeli neighborhood of Har Homa in the eastern part of Jerusalem, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to meet Thursday for talks overshadowed...
A Palestinian herder walks with his son past a construction site of new housing units in the Israeli neighborhood of Har Homa in the eastern part of Jerusalem, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Israeli Prime...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday ruled out cease-fire talks with Hamas, calling Israel's battle against the Islamic militant group a true war. (AP Photo/Jim Hollander, pool)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday ruled out cease-fire talks with Hamas, calling Israel's...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a traffic safety conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to meet Thursday for talks overshadowed by tension over Israeli construction plans for disputed east Jerusalem and the West...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a traffic safety conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a traffic safety conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to meet Thursday for talks overshadowed by tension over Israeli construction plans for disputed east Jerusalem and the West Bank. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a traffic safety conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to meet Thursday...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is seen during a meeting with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah,not seen, as part of Christmas festivities in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Monday, Dec. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is seen during a meeting with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah,not seen, as part of Christmas festivities in the West Bank city of Bethlehem,...   (Associated Press)
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Israel, Palestine to resume peace talks, despite settlement conflict
New York Times

Israeli settlement dispute won't impede peace talks
BBC

Israeli construction plan bodes ill for peace talks
Al Jazeera

Egypt weighs in against East Jerusalem construction
Ynetnews

Hamas pans Israeli settlement "aggression"
Jerusalem Post (Israel)

 
Israel • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • negotiations • settlement • Annapolis summit

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