New Jerusalem Settlement Hits Peace Process

PALESTINE - ISRAEL, 24 Jan 2011

Catrina Stewart in Jerusalem – The Independent

Israel is moving ahead with a project to build 1,400 new homes in predominantly Arab East Jerusalem, a development that critics claim will deliver a death knell to the already faltering peace process.

The controversial plan drew furious condemnation from the Palestinian Authority and threatened to dash any prospect of a revival of the US-sponsored peace talks, which collapsed last year over the issue of Jewish settlements.

Saeb Erekat, the Palestinians’ chief negotiator, said. “This proves the Israeli government has chosen settlements over peace.” Plans for the expansion, expected to be presented to Jerusalem’s planning commission this week, were also criticised by Washington as “counterproductive” in efforts to get the two sides back into negotiations.

The international community last week condemned the demolition of an historic hotel in east Jerusalem to make way for 20 apartments for Jews, prompting a defiant declaration from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Jews should be free to live where they like in the city.

This latest project would extend the existing Gilo settlement, a large neighbourhood in East Jerusalem built on lands captured by Israel in 1967 after the Six-Day War, and later annexed. All settlement construction in the occupied sector is regarded as illegal by the international community. The homes would be built on what is currently a picturesque hillside on the other side of the valley from the Cremisan monastery, a popular picnicking spot for Palestinians from the West Bank.

Campaigners opposed to the project fear the expansion of Gilo would lead to an unbroken ring of settlements stretching from Jerusalem to Gush Etzion, to the south of Bethlehem, effectively ensuring that that part of the West Bank is never handed back in a peace deal.

Meir Margalit, a Jerusalem councillor from the left-leaning Meretz party, said it might be years before the houses are actually built, but that the political repercussions could be immediate. “If there is any chance of the peace process being renewed, after this it’s clear it will not happen,” he said. “The Palestinians cannot live with this kind of provocation. If [US President Barack] Obama still believes the US can do something to bring peace in the Middle East, this is the time to do it.”

The Palestinians have opposed settlements on the grounds that Israel cannot negotiate in good faith as long as it is building more settler homes on West Bank land that the Palestinians hope will form the basis of their future state. The Palestinians also covet East Jerusalem as their future capital and fear that Israel is attempting to predetermine its “indivisible” status.

But Israel remains unrepentant, arguing that there is an understanding that Israel will never hand back the Jewish areas in East Jerusalem.

“In every peace plan put forward over the last two decades, the Jewish neighbourhoods of Jerusalem remained part of Israel in a final status [agreement],” said Mark Regev, the prime minister’s spokesman. “The Palestinians have unfortunately adopted a position where they refuse to engage.”

Israel’s announcement that it would build 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem during US Vice-President Joe Biden’s visit last March soured relations between the two countries for several months. Washington, meanwhile, is seeking ways to bring the two sides back to negotiations, but the Palestinians appear now to favour a plan to seek recognition in the United Nations.

Go to Original – independent.co.uk

Join the BDS-Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign to protest the Israeli barbaric siege of Gaza, illegal occupation of the Palestine nation, the apartheid wall, and its inhuman and degrading treatment of the Palestinian people: DON’T BUY products whose BARCODE STARTS WITH 729, which indicates that it is produced in Israel. DO YOUR PART! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

7 2 9: BOYCOTT!

Share this article: email mastodon facebook 🔗 copy link

DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Comments are closed.