Israel to build new homes in Jewish settlement
Pastor Dale Morgan
Israel to build new homes in Jewish settlement*
21 May 2008 13:17:31 GMT
Source: Reuters
JERUSALEM, May 21 (Reuters) - Israel announced plans on Wednesday to
build 286 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank,
despite U.S. and Palestinian calls to halt settlement expansion.
Housing Minister Zeev Boim instructed his office to publish a tender to
build the additional housing units in the Beitar Illit settlement, near
Jeruslem, a ministry official said.
The construction will address "the pressing needs of Jersualem's natural
growth", said the official, Eran Sidris.
"We don't have any houses for the young religious people in Jerusalem so
we have to build in Beitar Illit."
A 2003 peace "road map", reaffirmed by Israeli and Palestinian leaders
at a conference hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush in November,
requires a halt to all settlement activity on occupied land where
Palestinians seek statehood.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in keeping with the
previous government's policy, has vowed to keep West Bank settlement
blocs, including enclaves near Jerusalem, under any future peace accord.
The Israeli government contends this warrants the continued building of
homes within major settlement blocs, though U.S. officials have
consistently demanded a freeze.
Palestinian leaders say settlement expansion around Jerusalem could cut
off Palestinians' access to the holy city and carve up the West Bank in
a way that would deny them a contiguous state. (Reporting by Brenda
Gazzar; editing by Ralph Boulton)