- 6 dec 2010
Israel Approves The Construction Of 846 Settlement Units In Jerusalem
A report prepared and published by the National Bureau For Protecting the Land and Countering Settlements, revealed that the Israeli government approved the construction of 846 units in Jewish settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Bureau said that, last week, the Israeli government approved the construction of 130 new units in Gilo settlement, south of Jerusalem, and also started the expansion of a number of settlements north of the city.
Furthermore, the Bureau reported that Israel demolished three Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, and forced a resident to demolish his own home.
During a press release on Sunday, the National Bureau for Countering Settlements said that the Israeli Authorities in the West Bank are ongoing with their assaults against the residents, and that the army confiscated agriculture equipment in Hebron, prevented the farmers from reaching their lands and demolished a number of wells.
Israel insists the Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the country and that it has the right to build there.
The Israeli government and the Jerusalem Municipality are ongoing with their assaults against the residents in the city and are demolishing their homes while several Palestinian homes were taken over by extremist settlers.
In related news, the army informed the residents of Al Ma'sara village, near Bethlehem, that a decision was made to demolish the Ibrahim Al Khalid Mosque and two homes in the village.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60092 7 jan 2012, 16:13 , Respect -
Maria 7 dec 2010
No deal on settlement freeze extension
Israel, US can't agree on freeze
US to announce talks on settlement freeze failed; Barak, Clinton to seek solution.
Almost a month after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked his ministers to approve a settlement freeze extension in exchange for a US benefit package, American officials are set to announce that efforts to extend the moratorium have failed.
Two US officials familiar with months of failed efforts to get Israel to reinstate a freeze on some new construction said Tuesday the administration has concluded that is not the best way to restart the stalled talks.
However, the US is expected to announce that efforts aimed at resuming talks between Israel and the Palestinians will continue.
At this time, Israel and the US will continue their talks, with Defense Minister Ehud Barak aiming to find a solution for the predicament in talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"After consultation with the parties, we have determined that a moratorium extension will not at this time provide the best basis for resuming direct negotiations," one US official said. The second official said an announcement of the decision was expected later in the day.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The officials stressed that the administration was not giving up in trying to broker a peace deal and noted that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will be visiting Washington next week for consultations. One official compared the situation to the indirect talks that existed before the face-to-face negotiations were launched in early September.
"In the coming days and weeks we will engage with both sides on the core substantive issues as well as with Arab states and other international partners with the goal of working toward a framework on all permanent status issues," the first official said.
According to the deal reportedly worked out by Netanyahu last month, Israel was to receive a benefit package that includes 20 stealth fighter jets and a US veto on anti-Israeli resolutions at the Security Council in exchange for the freeze extension. According to initial reports, Israel was to receive the fighter jets free of charge, but later it turned out that the planes will be paid for.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3995909,00.html
Gulf leaders back PA stand on settlements
ABU DHABI (AFP) - Gulf leaders threw their support behind the Palestinian Authority's refusal to negotiate with Israel in the absence of a settlement freeze, in a statement Tuesday at the end of their annual summit.
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also emphasized that any settlement freeze should include occupied East Jerusalem.
The oil-rich region's Arab leaders underlined both their support for "the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state" and "opposition to a partial settlement or in stages" of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
They "denounced the Israeli project for making occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem) the capital of the Jewish people" and urged the international community to "compel Israel to end its practices aimed at 'Judaising' east Jerusalem."
Newly-relaunched direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians ran aground at the end of September after the expiry of a temporary Israeli ban on Jewish settlement building in the West Bank.
The Palestinians say they cannot negotiate while Jewish settlers build on land they want for a future state, but until now Israel has refused to consider a new freeze.
The international community considers all Jewish settlements built on occupied Palestinian land to be illegal.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=339840
7 jan 2012, 16:13 , Respect -
Maria 8 dec 2010
U.S. does not, will not condone Israel's settlement activity, official says
Speaking to reporters, State Department spokesman says Washington's position on settlement building is unaffected by its realization that a temporary freeze does not serve as a sufficient basis for renewed peace talks.
The United States does not and will not accept Israel's continued West Bank settlement activity, a top U.S. official said on Monday, stating that the fact that Washington no longer supports a temporary settlement freeze did not mean it condones continued building.
The comment by State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley came as U.S. officials had confirmed that negotiations between Jerusalem and Washington over a new partial moratorium on settlement construction and on the terms of the guarantees proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama have hit a dead end.
A senior Washington official told Israeli correspondents during a conference call on Tuesday that after consulting with both the Israelis and the Palestinians Obama's administration reached the conclusion that conditions were not ripe now for successful negotiations, even with a new freeze.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Crowley reiterated that the fact that the United States no longer considered a settlement freeze as a sufficient condition for continued talks did not mean Washington changed its views toward Israel's settlement activity.
As the United States continues with its attempts to renew talks, Crowley said, U.S. "position on settlements has not and will not change."
"The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements, and we will continue to express that position," the State Department spokesman added.
Regarding continued effors toward renewing negotiations, Crowley indicated that "in the coming days and weeks, we will engage with both sides of the -- on the core substantive issues at stake in this conflict, and with the Arab states and other international partners on creating a firm basis to work toward our shared goal of a framework agreement on all permanent- status issues, a goal in which we and the parties remain committed."
"We indicated that we will be having meetings and contacts with both the Israelis and the Palestinians in the coming days," the State Department official said, adding that U.S. Special Mideast envoy George "Mitchell will travel back to the region next week to consult both with the parties and also with other regional leaders."
Speaking with Israel Radio earlier Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser claimed that the Israel side was not the one keeping talks from restarting, adding that "the Palestinians must understand that you can't set preconditions to negotiations."
According to Hauser, the current course peace talks have taken has exhausted itself, with sides looking for alternatives that could produce a peace deal.
Also on Wednesday, an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Dremer, told Army Radio that the United States was initiating a new diplomatic path which could lead to the renewal of peace negotiations, adding that the PM had not given up on his intent to reach an agreement.
Regarding Israel's settlement policy, Dremer told Israel Radio that the Israeli government had continued to the path of settlement construction, as did previous governments.
http://bit.ly/hDZayb
Gulf Leaders Support P.A Position On Settlements
Leaders of the Arab Gulf stated that they support the stance of the Palestinian Authority of Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank regarding not holding talks with Israel until it halts its settlement activities in the occupied territories.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said that Israel must halt all of its settlement activities, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
They expressed support for the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and added that the solution to the conflict must be comprehensive and not partial or in stages.
The GCC leaders urged the International Community to oblige Israel to stop all of its illegal activities in the occupied territories, and denounced Israel%u2019s attempt to have the world recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people.
Efforts to resume direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks could not bear fruit after the temporary freeze on settlement activities expired last September and Israel resume settlement construction on a large scale.
The official Palestinian stance is that peace talks cannot resume while Israel continues its illegal settlement activities in the occupied territories, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
All settlements are considered illegal under the International Law and the Fourth Geneva Conventions.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60115
US to Israel: OK to continue building settlements
After several months of attempted negotiations with Israel to try to push them to comply with international law and signed agreements, the US government announced Tuesday that it is abandoning efforts to get the Israeli government to comply with the law prohibiting settlements.
According to a representative of the US State Department, the US will continue its negotiations, but will not press Israel to comply with international law banning the transfer of civilians to militarily-occupied land. All settlements are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory, but the Israeli government has ignored this obligation, and has transferred over 500,000 Israeli civilians into settlements constructed on stolen Palestinian land since 1967.
Previously, the US government had offered Israel 20 F-35 fighter jets, which are the newest model of US-made fighter jets, in exchange for a six-month settlement freeze. Israel rejected that offer, and demanded that they be allowed to continue their continual expansion of settlements on stolen Palestinian land, even while engaging in 'negotiations' with Palestinian leaders.
Palestinian negotiatiors have long criticized Israel's policy of continuing settlement expansion, with one Palestinian diplomat, Mohammed Shtayeh, telling reporters last week that Israel's decision to allow 600 new housing units in East Jerusalem on illegally confiscated Palestinian land was the "last nail in the coffin of the peace process."
Israeli negotiators have demanded that the Palestinian leadership agree to %u201Crecognize Israel as a Jewish state%u201D as a precondition for peace talks %u2013 despite the fact that such a recognition would mean the denial of the internationally-recognized right of return of Palestinian refugees. This is a concession that Palestinian leaders say they do not have the right to make.
http://bit.ly/dZaHWK
7 jan 2012, 16:13 , Respect -
Maria 9 dec 2010
Gilo Settlement to Expand by 130 Units; US Promises $200 Million for Israeli "Iron Dome"
Jerusalem PNN - One day after American negotiators officially gave up their bid to press Israel for a settlement freeze in the West Bank, the Israeli District Planning and Building Committee authorized 130 new residential units in the settlement of Gilo, near Jerusalem.
The decision was approved last week for the settlement of 40,000, which lies on a hill north of the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. The global community considers it illegal under international law.
In other news, the US Congress announced on Wednesday night that it would finance $205 million for the Iron Dome security system for Israel. The system is designed to stop short-range missile and rocket fire from Gaza and Lebanon.
US President Barack Obama began to seek funding for the project in May 2010 and it was approved by a vote of 410-4 in the US House of Representatives.
http://bit.ly/i2QoQ0
Abu Sha'ar slams General Electric for supporting settlement expansion
GAZA, (PIC)-- Palestinian minister of religious affairs Dr. Taleb Abu Sha'ar strongly denounced the American company General Electric for supporting and participating in a settlement project in Abu Ghunaim Mount between occupied Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Dr. Abu Sha'ar in a press release on Thursday said that this company in cooperation with Ligon company took part in the establishment of a waste water treatment facility in Abu Ghunaim area at a cost of about 30 million shekels.
The minister expressed his strong dismay at what he described as the Zio-American collusion which General Electric is involved in, stressing that this company violated the international law when it took such step and reflected its hostility to the Palestinians.
In another incident, Israeli press sources reported that the US earmarked two millions dollars to finance the Israeli anti-missile system known as the Iron Dome which is intended to intercept any projectiles, missiles or rockets fired at Israel in the future.
The US house of representatives approved this financial grant on Wednesday, according to the sources.
http://bit.ly/ehe1Xb
EU chief regrets Israel decision on settlements
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign affairs chief, responded Wednesday to the apparent collapse of peace talks noting the EU's "regret" that Israel opted not to renew a freeze on settlement building.
"I note with regret that Israel has not been in a position to accept an extension of the moratorium as requested by the US, the EU and the Quartet. The EU position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. Recent settlement related developments, including in East Jerusalem, contradict the efforts by the international community for successful negotiations.
"We must spare no effort to get negotiations back on track on all final status issues. There is no alternative to a negotiated two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am in close contact with the US, in coordination within the Quartet, and working with the parties and partners in the region to continue to work towards the objective of a negotiated peace."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=340444
Abbas slams US decision on settlements
Acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has demanded explanations over a US decision to stop urging Israel to extend a partial freeze on its settlement activities.
In late September, Tel Aviv refused to extend the 10-month moratorium on the construction of illegal Jewish settlements on the occupied Palestinian lands.
The refusal stalled Tel Aviv's direct talks with the PA, which had renewed earlier that month in the United States.
Washington recently quit pressing Tel Aviv over the matter with a senior White House official saying on Tuesday that a moratorium extension will not at this time determine the best basis for resuming direct negotiations," AFP reported.
Acting PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday, "We want to know what happened exactly between America and Israel."
"We will not accept negotiations as long as settlements continue."
"We have made this clear to the Americans: without a halt to settlements, no negotiations," he noted.
The Palestinians say that the settlement activities are being carried out to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The developments come amid a groundswell of international support for the Palestinians in which Brazil and Argentina recognized Palestine and Uruguay and France said they would follow suit in the future.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/154677.html
Hamas: The US administration in cahoots with Israel's settlement activities
GAZA, (PIC)-- The Hamas Movement said that the US remarks about its relinquishment of attempts to convince the Israeli occupation state to freeze settlement activities revealed that the current US administration is accomplice in the ongoing settlement expansion and a dishonest mediator in the peace process.
Hamas, in light of this American position, urged what it described as Oslo group to renounce its frivolous negotiation option and wagers on the peace process.
It called on the Fatah-controlled Palestinian authority to stop all kinds of security cooperation with the Israeli occupation and release all political detainees in its jails.
In this context, an Israeli official source close to the Israeli premier said on condition of anonymity that the last American position on not demanding settlement freeze was taken in coordination with his government.
The Hebrew radio quoted the source as saying that this position came in the context of Israeli-US moves to activate the peace process and the discussion of core issues with the Palestinians.
The radio added that the envoy of the Israeli premier Yitzhak Molkho is in Washington these days for talks in this regard with US officials and noted that the PA will also send its envoy soon there.
In a separate incident, the Israeli military radio said that the noted American company General Electric participated in the establishment of settlement projects in Abu Ghunaim Mount between occupied Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
The radio added that this company helped in the building of a waste water treatment facility in a settlement built on Abu Ghunaim Mount in cooperation with Ligon company at a cost of about 30 millions shekels.
http://bit.ly/f0sgPu 7 jan 2012, 16:13 , Respect -
Maria 9 dec 2010
Israel draws international rebuke over refusal to freeze settlement construction
The EU, UN and Arab League criticize Israel on its failure to renew freeze on West Bank settlement construction, which expired in late September.
The European Union, the United Nations and the Arab League have rebuked Israel after its refusal to halt settlement construction forced Washington to drop efforts to relaunch Mideast peace talks.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday stuck to his position that he won't negotiate without a freeze of Jewish settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem - lands captured by Israel in the Six Day War in 1967 and sought by the Palestinians for their state. He spoke after meeting in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.
"Without halt of settlements, there will be no talks," Abbas said.
With the path to direct talks effectively blocked, it is not clear what the Obama administration will do next.
Israeli and Palestinian envoys were summoned to Washington for meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton before the weekend. Clinton could provide a glimpse, at least in general terms, of a possible new U.S. approach in a speech late Friday.
Israel and the Palestinians had launched the latest round of peace talks on Sept. 2 at a White House ceremony. But less than a month later, negotiations broke down after Israel refused to extend a 10-month-old freeze on West Bank housing starts that ended at the end of September.
In recent weeks, the U.S. had tried to persuade Israel to extend a limited West Bank settlement freeze for 90 days, offering a series of security and diplomatic incentives. However, the negotiations over an extension broke down, and U.S. officials announced earlier this week they had abandoned that approach.
Washington did not cast blame. But other members of the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators, which also includes the EU, the UN and Russia, sharply criticized Israel.
"I note with regret that Israel has not been in a position to accept an extension of the (settlement) moratorium, as requested by the U.S., the EU and the Quartet," Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, said Thursday.
"The EU position on settlements is clear: They are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. Recent settlement-related developments, including in east Jerusalem, contradict efforts by the international community for successful negotiations," she said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed regret "that Israel will not heed the united call of the international community, as reflected by the Quartet, to extend the settlement restraint policy," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said.
"In spite of this setback, the secretary-general believes it is more important than ever to promote a negotiated endgame for a two-state solution," Nesirky said.
The Quartet's Mideast envoy, Tony Blair, avoided casting blame. He only said the U.S. move to pursue a settlement freeze was a "sensible decision in light of the impasse that we reached."
Israeli officials declined comment on the international criticism.
In a meeting with Blair on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said efforts would continue to reach a "historic peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, two states for two peoples." However, he did not give specifics.
Netanyahu also said he would work with Blair and the Palestinians "to have concrete developments in the field." In the past, Israel offered to remove additional West Bank checkpoints and unfreeze long-stalled development projects if the Palestinians agree to talks without a settlement freeze. It was not clear whether Netanyahu would now take such steps unconditionally, to improve the atmosphere.
However, there are now signs that Arab countries that have supported U.S. efforts are getting restless.
On Wednesday, Arab League Chief Amr Moussa said resuming direct talks under current conditions is out of the question. The Egyptian diplomat also questioned the intentions of the U.S. and Israel.
"Direct talks ... means what is being sold to us is the imposition of the occupation's condition, which is absolutely unacceptable for all of us," he said. "It is clear that the American administration couldn't reach a halt of settlement (activity), which makes negotiations useless."
"This makes negotiations a facade or may be a cover to enable the occupation to go on with this policy," he added.
The Arab League's committee dealing with the negotiations, which gives guidance and support to the Palestinians, is to meet next week.
http://bit.ly/i209Io
Abbas slams US decision on settlements
Acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has demanded explanations over a US decision to stop urging Israel to extend a partial freeze on its settlement activities.
In late September, Tel Aviv refused to extend the 10-month moratorium on the construction of illegal Jewish settlements on the occupied Palestinian lands.
The refusal stalled Tel Aviv's direct talks with the PA, which had renewed earlier that month in the United States.
Washington recently quit pressing Tel Aviv over the matter with a senior White House official saying on Tuesday that a moratorium extension will not at this time determine the best basis for resuming direct negotiations," AFP reported.
Acting PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday, "We want to know what happened exactly between America and Israel."
"We will not accept negotiations as long as settlements continue."
"We have made this clear to the Americans: without a halt to settlements, no negotiations," he noted.
The Palestinians say that the settlement activities are being carried out to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The developments come amid a groundswell of international support for the Palestinians in which Brazil and Argentina recognized Palestine and Uruguay and France said they would follow suit in the future.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/154677.html
Abu Sha'ar slams General Electric for supporting settlement expansion
GAZA, (PIC)-- Palestinian minister of religious affairs Dr. Taleb Abu Sha'ar strongly denounced the American company General Electric for supporting and participating in a settlement project in Abu Ghunaim Mount between occupied Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Dr. Abu Sha'ar in a press release on Thursday said that this company in cooperation with Ligon company took part in the establishment of a waste water treatment facility in Abu Ghunaim area at a cost of about 30 million shekels.
The minister expressed his strong dismay at what he described as the Zio-American collusion which General Electric is involved in, stressing that this company violated the international law when it took such step and reflected its hostility to the Palestinians.
In another incident, Israeli press sources reported that the US earmarked two millions dollars to finance the Israeli anti-missile system known as the Iron Dome which is intended to intercept any projectiles, missiles or rockets fired at Israel in the future.
The US house of representatives approved this financial grant on Wednesday, according to the sources.
http://bit.ly/ehe1Xb
EU chief regrets Israel decision on settlements
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign affairs chief, responded Wednesday to the apparent collapse of peace talks noting the EU's "regret" that Israel opted not to renew a freeze on settlement building.
"I note with regret that Israel has not been in a position to accept an extension of the moratorium as requested by the US, the EU and the Quartet. The EU position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. Recent settlement related developments, including in East Jerusalem, contradict the efforts by the international community for successful negotiations.
"We must spare no effort to get negotiations back on track on all final status issues. There is no alternative to a negotiated two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am in close contact with the US, in coordination within the Quartet, and working with the parties and partners in the region to continue to work towards the objective of a negotiated peace."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=340444
UN: Israel obliged to freeze settlement
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has declared in a statement that Israel is obliged to freeze its settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The UN chief regrets that Tel Aviv has refused to extend its ten-month moratorium on illegal settlement construction in the West Bank that expired on September 26, a statement issued by Ban's spokesman said Wednesday.
The spokesman urged Tel Aviv to renew its freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem), framing it as an obligation that Israel is avoiding.
Israel must fulfill its Roadmap obligation to freeze all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East al-Quds, the statement said.
"In spite of this setback, the secretary general believes it is more important than ever to promote a negotiated end-game for a two-state solution," the statement stated.
He is encouraged that the United States has indicated its determination to continue its efforts in this direction and he urges the full cooperation of the parties towards that end," it added.
"He is looking forward to these matters being discussed in the days to come among all members of the Quartet."
The European Union has also expressed regret about Israel's refusal to a partial freeze in settlement building on Palestinian land, calling the Israeli settlement expansion illegal and an obstacle to peace.
The new round of direct negotiations between Israel and the PA started in Washington in September after a 20-month hiatus. But the talks reached a deadlock shortly after re-launch over Tel Aviv's refusal to meet the Palestinian side's demand for extending the partial settlement freeze in the West Bank.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/154622.html
Spy Deal For Israeli Freeze
(3:44) Spy Deal For Israeli Freeze
7 jan 2012, 16:13 , Respect -
Maria 10 dec 2010
Ex-EU Leaders Urge Action Against Israel Over Settlement Activities
A group of former EU leaders are calling for sanctions against Israel in response to its refusal to end settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, media agencies reported.
A group of 26 former top EU leaders denounced Israel's settlement policy in a letter sent, on Thursday, to the European Union and the governments of its 27 member states, urging strong measures against Israel for its refusal to adhere to international law.
Among the signatories of the letter are the ex-EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, former German President Richard von Weizsacker, former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzales, former president of the EU Commission, former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and former Irish President Mary Robinson.
The letter's initiative joins the recent set of recognitions of a Palestinian state within the '67 borders declared by the governments of South American countries, including Brazil and Argentina. Also, the European Union Council intends to back the Palestinian Authority's efforts to rally international support over the aspiration to establish a free and independent state and end the Occupation.
The move comes days after the U.S. administration dropped their demand for Israel to halt all settlement building activities in the West Bank, admitting that indirect peace negotiations failed on extending freeze on illegal settlement construction.
The European leaders also call upon the EU not to accept any unilateral changes to the 1967 borders that Israel made against international law, and that the Palestinian state would cover an area the same size as the one occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem as its capital. The EU should support, according to the leaders, only minor exchanges of land on which the two sides agree.
In addition, the EU officials point out that any upgrading of relations between the European Union and Israel will be frozen unless settlement activities stop in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The group is also pressing on the European Union to play an effective and active role vis-a-vis the United States, Israel and internationally.
Reports on Thursday claimed strong criticism by the European Union, United Nations and the Arab League of Israel's rebuff of international demands to freeze its illegal settlement construction.
Analysts reportedly argue the US has spent more time bargaining with Israel over a settlement moratorium than negotiating between Israelis and Palestinians over the core divisive issues.
Palestinian officials said, on Thursday, that PA's President Abbas called for an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers to discuss the consequences of US failed mediation.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60136 7 jan 2012, 16:13 , Respect -
Maria 10 dec 2010
Barak: When I was PM we built much more in West Bank
During New York meeting, UN's Ban expresses disappointment in Israel's decision not to extend settlement moratorium, but Barak says construction not cause of stalemate in peace talks.
Israel is not building new settlements, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said to reporters after meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York Thursday night (Israel time).
He said Israel is committed to the Road Map and the two-state solution, noting that after 43 years of Israel's control of the West Bank, construction does not even cover 2% of the area. He added it was an exaggeration to say that Israel's building is preventing progress.
Ban expressed his disappointment in Israel's decision not to extend the moratorium, but Barak claimed construction was not a hurdle to progress in the peace talks.
Israel's defense minister said "it's an urgent necessity" for his country and the Palestinians to find a way to resume negotiations on core issues leading to a peace deal.
Barak added that he hopes a formula that moves beyond the current stalemate "will be found in coming few weeks in order to keep moving forward."
During former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's term, he said, in which there was extensive negotiation, there was twice as much construction and it did not impede progress. Barak also claimed that during his own term there was four times as much construction while Israel was in negotiation with the late Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.
During the meeting, Ban and Barak spoke about a range of regional issues, but mostly about the negotiations with the Palestinians. Barak said the sides must get over the hurdle of the freeze that was not extended, and get to the core issues. He expressed his hope that a way would be found in the coming weeks to progress.
Negotiations 'mutual interest'
Barak said the Palestinians must make a decision because there is a mutual interest to bring about a breakthrough in the negotiations.
The defense minister asked Ban to use his influence to persuade Mideast countries to support direct talks between Israel and the PA, which he called a strategic necessity of all the region's inhabitants.
Barak said he would be arriving in Washington over the weekend for talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice President Biden and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
During the meeting with the UN chief, Barak also addressed the situation in Lebanon, saying he was optimistic that the UN and Israel would be able to reach an agreement with regards to the border town of Ghajar.
As for the UN-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Barak said Israel was following the developments, but added that the matter was none of Israel's concern.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3997114,00.html
'Ex-EU leaders urge action on Israel'
An illegal Israeli settlement (file photo)
Dozens of former European leaders have called on the European Union to take strong measures against Israel over Tel Aviv's violation of international law, reports say.
A group of 26 diplomats have denounced Israel's settlement policy in a letter sent to the European Union and the governments of its 27 member states.
The ex-leaders say that further EU-Israel relations should be contingent on Tel Aviv's adherence to international law.
The diplomats have also urged the EU not to accept any unilateral changes to the 1967 borders that Israel made against international law.
Former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and former German President Richard von Weizsacker are among the signatories of the letter.
The group is also calling on the European Union to play an effective role in the international arena. It also calls on the EU to refrain from deepening relations with Israel unless Tel Aviv stops settlement activities in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The move comes shortly after the US admitted failure in direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over Tel Aviv's settlement policy.
The Israeli rebuff of a conditional freeze on its illegal settlement activities has drawn sharp criticisms even from Tel Aviv's partners.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/154793.html
7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 13 dec 2010
EU paper unlikely to threaten Israel with sanctions
Draft supports right of Palestinian statehood; states that "legitimacy of the State of Israel must never be called into question."
A statement to be issued by the EU foreign ministers following a meeting on Monday in Brussels is not expected to call for sanctions against Israel, or for the imposition of a Mideast settlement if progress is not made, as 26 former EU leaders called for in a letter last week.
A draft of the EU foreign ministers Conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process obtained by The Jerusalem Post that is expected to be adopted by the 27 EU foreign ministers is not significantly different from a similar resolution last year.
While noting with regret that Israel did not agree to an extension of a construction moratorium, and stating the EU opinion that the settlements are illegal under law and an obstacle to peace, the draft statement stops short of the recommendations by the former EU officials including former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to make an upgrade of relations with Israel contingent on cessation of Jewish construction in the West Bank.
The draft statement alludes to efforts to delegitimize Israel, but in wording that is likely to be criticized in Jerusalem as false equivalence, states that the legitimacy of the State of Israel and the right of Palestinians to achieve statehood must never be called into question.
The draft statement says the EU foreign ministers reiterate our views on the status of Jerusalem and repeat our call for all parties to refrain from provocative unilateral actions and violence.
Sticking to the formula from 2009, the draft resolution reads that the EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties. This could include agreed territorial swaps. A way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states. The EU calls for an agreed, just, fair and realistic solution to the refugee question.
The resolution states that the council reiterates its readiness, when appropriate, to recognize a Palestinian state, but stops well short of threatening to do so if one particular deadline or another is not met.
The statement, which characterizes the moves Israel has taken to ease the restrictions on Gaza as limited and insufficient, makes no mention of continued rocket fire from the Strip or of Hamas.
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=199144
With freeze over, Yesha Council spearheading massive boom in illegal construction in settlements and outposts
Two rows of apartment buildings are going up in the Neveh Shoham neighborhood of Eli, without construction permits.
Since the end of September, when the partial moratorium on construction ended, there has been a massive amount of illegal building in the settlements. The construction effort is extensive, in well-established communities and illegal outposts alike, and is being led by Amana, the settlement branch of the Yesha Council of Settlements.
Two armed guards stand at the entrance to the construction site in Ofra, which began in 1975 as a "work camp" on the site of an abandoned Jordanian army base. That "work camp" has come to life in the past two months: Around 40 homes are replacing the old Jordanian buildings, without construction permits or Civil Administration supervision.
In late 2002, when enforcement began of the law against unauthorized construction, nine new homes that Amana built in Amona were demolished. In the wake of this measure, and the Sasson Report that followed, Amana scaled back its illegal activities in the territories. Interim orders by the High Court of Justice forced the suspension of construction of new neighborhoods in Rahelim, Halamish and Kiryat Netafim.
Amana's reasons for halting construction were practical as well as political: The organization "insures" homebuyers against legal enforcement, promising to refund their money if needed. The suspended projects cost Amana a great deal of money.
But the bulldozers have returned. Two rows of apartment buildings are going up in the Neveh Shoham neighborhood of Eli, without construction permits. Amana does not hide the building activity, and even advertises the buildings in the weekly Torah portion pamphlets distributed in synagogues throughout the country: "Eli - everything that's important without leaving the community. It's not a city, it's Eli."
New homes are being built in the unauthorized outpost of Brukhin, in Samaria. Yesha Council leaders recently stopped taking Israeli leaders on tours of the community to show them the consequences of the Sasson Report, because the construction was renewed without the proper permits.
The construction of 20 residential units, suspended a few years ago in the earliest stages, was renewed a month ago. It was suspended again two weeks ago after an employee was electrocuted and severely injured.
The reason for the lack of enforcement of the construction freeze on Amana's building site has been the Civil Administration's focus on enforcement in other areas. Three weeks ago the agency demolished a memorial to a fallen soldier at a spring in Alon Moreh, smashing a reservoir and uprooting fruit trees. A few days before the administration destroyed a goatshed at Meshek Ahiya and a road in the Kana River Wadi funded by the Palestinian Authority. Last week it demolished 11 Palestinian buildings in Hirbet Tana, east of Nablus.
Left-wing activist Dror Etkes, who monitors illegal building in the territories, said this week, "We haven't seen illegal building of this magnitude since 2002. As in the previous wave eight years ago, Amana is leading the construction. In any normal place it would be declared illegal and its leaders prosecuted," Etkes said.
Amana secretary general Ze'ev Haber declined to respond.
http://bit.ly/he9BSv 7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 14 dec 2010
UN blames Israel for 'serious setback'
A general view shows a Jewish settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank.
A senior UN official says that Israel's refusal to halt construction of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is a major %u201Csetback.%u201D
The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry on Tuesday called for renewed international efforts as Israel's continued construction in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) has created complications.
"This is a serious setback," AFP quoted the United Nations secretary general's personal representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority (PA) as saying.
Tel Aviv refused to extend a partial freeze on the settlement activities in late September, thus stalling the direct talks with the PA that had resumed earlier that month in the United States.
"I've said that next year the credibility of this political process and its sponsors, including the [Middle East] Quartet, will be at stake," the official said, referring to the of the US, the European Union, Russia and the UN.
He also said that the UN "will continue to consider settlements as illegal under international law and that we will also continue to hold Israel responsible under international law."
On Monday, the EU also "noted with regret" Tel Aviv's failure to prolong the 10-month settlement moratorium and likewise reminded the Israeli settlement expansion's illegality.
The UN officials call for international efforts to halt the Israeli construction in the occupied Palestinian territories comes as the US a White House official had recently revealed that the US has stopped urging Tel Aviv to extend its partial freeze on settlement construction.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/155501.html
Israel approves more settlement units
Israel has approved 24 new settlement units to be constructed in an Arab neighborhood in the occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
"The building and planning committee has authorized the construction of 24 homes in four buildings," Hagit Ofran from settlement watchdog Peace Now told AFP on Tuesday.
She added that the new settler units will be built in As Suwwana, located just east of al-Quds' old city, near the Mount of Olives.
The new construction order comes as Israeli authorities destroyed two more Palestinian homes in East al-Quds on Tuesday.
The renewed direct talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel broke off after Tel Aviv refused to extend a partial 10-month settlement freeze that ended in late September.
Last week, the United States stopped convincing Israel to freeze its settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to meet the international community's demand for extending the freeze in the occupied West Bank.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has declared in a statement that Israel is obliged to freeze its settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The European Union has also expressed regret about Israel's refusal to extend the partial freeze, calling the Israeli settlement expansion illegal and an obstacle to peace.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/155484.html
EU urges end to settlements, Gaza siege
The European Union has once again condemned Israel's continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank as well as its ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip.
European foreign ministers convened on Monday, saying that they "noted with regret" Israel's failure to halt the construction of illegal settlements despite international calls for a freeze on such activities on Palestinian land, Israel's Ynet news website reported.
"Our views on settlements, including in East Jerusalem (al-Quds), are clear; they are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace," the ministers said in a statement after a meeting in Belgium's capital, Brussels.
A partial, 10-month freeze on West Bank settlements expired on September 26, almost three weeks after the Palestinian Authority (PA) agreed under US pressure to hold direct negotiations with Israel. But Tel Aviv's insistence on resuming its settlement expansion projects prompted PA negotiators to quit the US-sponsored talks.
Earlier in December, and despite previous assurances to the Palestinians, Washington finally announced it had failed to persuade Tel Aviv to extend the settlement freeze, saying it would now push for a return to indirect talks.
PA officials criticized the US policy shift, saying Israeli settlement construction on land they want for an independent state contradicts a two-state solution.
Last week, a number of senior EU figures, including six former presidents, echoed the protest in a letter and urged the bloc to take a firmer stance on Israel regarding the issue of Palestine.
During the Monday meeting, European ministers also called on Israel to lift its crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, half of whose 1.5 million residents are dependent on international aid food shipments.
"The EU reiterates its call for the immediate, sustained, and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza," the EU foreign ministers said.
Following a bloody takeover of the Gaza freedom Flotilla on May 31 and the deaths of nine activists on the civilian aid convoy, Israel had to ease its land blockade on the impoverished enclave.
The naval closure of the coastal strip has remained as tight, however, with Gazans in dire need of building materials to reconstruct the houses, buildings and infrastructure destroyed during Israel's 22-day war on the territory.
The European Union highlighted the need for further relaxation of the years-long siege, noting that %u201Cthe changes on the ground have been limited and insufficient so far."
http://www.presstv.com/detail/155425.html 7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 15 dec 2010
Israel eying free US F-35 fighter jets
A F-35 fighter jet
Despite rejecting US calls for extending a partial settlement freeze on the occupied Palestinian territories, Israel is still looking to acquire another 20 US-built F-35 fighter jets free of charge.
Earlier in November, the United States offered Israel a package of incentives in return for stopping the expansion of Jewish settlements for 90 days in the occupied West Bank.
The offer included providing Israel with another 20 radar-evading Joint Strike Fighter jets worth USD 3 billion, vetoing or opposing any initiatives at the UN Security Council critical of Israel, and signing a comprehensive security agreement with Israel.
It was aimed at saving the new round of direct negotiations between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel.
Despite speculations that Israel's refusal to renew its partial settlement freeze has effectively taken the package of incentives offered by the US off the table, media reports suggest that Tel Aviv is still exploring ways to acquire an extra 20 stealth fighters.
Earlier in August, the US agreed to sell Israel 20 radar-evading Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets for more than USD 3 billion. The systems were due to be delivered by approximately 2016.
The deal made Israel the first buyer outside the aircraft's nine-nation co-development group.
"We ordered 20 F-35s, then, during the talks about freeze, the Americans put 20 additional plane on the table, a senior Israeli official told AFP on Wednesday, adding that Tel Aviv is not willing to pay for the additional 20 jets and is "trying to find another arrangement."
"It was discussed during the summer when the United States was talking about the USD 60 billion weapons deal with Saudi, in the context of the American policy of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge. But nothing was settled. We will continue to discuss it", he added.
The new round of direct negotiations between Israel and the PA started in Washington in September after a 20-month hiatus.
However, the talks reached a deadlock shortly after re-launch over Tel Aviv's refusal to meet the Palestinian side's demand for extending the partial settlement freeze in the West Bank. Israel resumed its illegal construction work hours after the expiry of the 10-month moratorium.
Palestinians believe that the expansion of Jewish settlements on the occupied lands will reduce the likelihood of the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/155649.html
7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 15 dec 2010
Construction of Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem underway
Year after building project approved, bulldozers begin infrastructure work atop Mount of Olives Ridge; housing units to serve married students attending nearby yeshiva. Rabbi: Project strengthens Jewish presence in united Jerusalem.
Construction commenced on Wednesday on a new residential Jewish neighborhood atop the Mount of Olives Ridge in east Jerusalem, near Hebrew University.
The neighborhood will be an extension of the Irving Moskowitz Yeshiva & Campus - Yeshivat Beit Orot %u2013 named after the Jewish-American millionaire who purchases land with the purpose of "Judaizing" the eastern part of the capital.
In early 2010, the Jerusalem Municipal Planning and Construction Committee authorized the construction of 24 housing units at the site. The project is likely to draw harsh condemnation from the US and Europe.
The Beit Orot website said the building project, which will include 3 new residential buildings, each 3 stories high, is intended to "provide housing for married (yeshiva) students and to enhance the development of the educational complex. Heavy equipment began excavation and infrastructure work this morning and construction is expected to be complete in one year."
The website quoted the head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Dani Isaac, as saying, "We are joyful and honored to commence the construction of our new neighborhood which strengthens the Jewish presence in united Jerusalem and stresses the fact that Jerusalem is the home of every Jew in Israel and throughout the world."
Shlomo Zwickler, executive director of Beit Orot, said, "These new residential buildings are an anchor to connect all areas of Jerusalem together. One of the goals of Beit Orot is to reconnect people to the historic areas of Jerusalem, including the Mount of Olives Ridge and Mount Scopus. This new construction makes major headway toward this goal."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3999823,00.html
Construction begins on Jewish neighborhood in east J'lem
The construction of a Jewish neighborhood has begun near the Beit Orot yeshiva, in eastern Jerusalem.
At the beginning of the year, the Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Committee approved the construction of 24 housing units. The construction is expected to draw condemnations from the United States and Europe.
http://bit.ly/eYlHSp 7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 16 dec 2010
Arab League to turn to UN for anti-settlement resolution
J'lem concerned PA may not want even indirect talks without freeze; Fayyad says Palestinians seeking state, not just another declaration.
The Palestinian Authority was looking to Arab League foreign ministers who met on Wednesday night in Cairo to tie its hands and not authorize even proximity talks until Israel freezes settlement construction, Israeli government officials said.
And, indeed, the Arab League obliged, with the ministers speaking out against any talks direct or indirect unless the US takes a firm stance on the future borders of a Palestinian state.
The negotiation track between the Palestinians and Israelis is futile. There is no return to talks. Any resumption is conditioned on a serious offer that ensures the end to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the peace process references, the Arab ministers said in a statement.
The Arab League foreign ministers also agreed to go to the UN Security Council for a resolution against settlement construction.
The ministers decided to bring up the issue of Israeli settlements with the Security Council, AFP reported.
The Arab League wants to obtain a decision that confirms, among other things, the illegal nature of this activity and that would oblige Israel to stop it, a ministerial committee meeting at League headquarters in Cairo said.
The statement put out after the meeting also urged the US, which has used its veto many times to block anti- Israel Security Council resolutions, not to block the move.
Before the meeting of the Arab League ministers, the same forum that in the summer authorized PA President Mahmoud Abbas to enter direct talks with Israel, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke by phonewith Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
US envoy George Mitchell, who met separately with Netanyahu and Abbas over the past two days, met with Mubarak on Wednesday to brief him on the talks and the state of the diplomatic process.
After that meeting, Mitchell said the US intended to pursue substantive Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
In the days ahead, our discussions with both sides will be substantive, two-way conversations with an eye towards making real progress in the next few months on the key questions of an eventual framework agreement, Mitchell was quoted as saying.
The Palestinians, meanwhile, have expressed displeasure that the US was unable to force a settlement freeze extension on Netanyahu, and was also unable to get Israel's agreement to accept a Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967, lines.
Netanyahu's position is that the 1967 lines are indefensible, and therefore should not necessarily be the blueprint when discussing final borders.
While Palestinian spokesmen such as Yasser Abed Rabbo were taking a hard-line public position on the talks, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, in a teaser for an interview on Channel 2 to appear over the weekend, said the Palestinians were not going to go to the UN seeking international recognition, nor would they revert to violence if the negotiations did not work out.
Asked if he was willing to make a clear statement that no matter what happens, he would not turn to the UN for a unilateral declaration of statehood, Fayyad said, What we are looking for now... is a state of Palestine.
We are not looking for yet another declaration of statehood.
Remember, we had one, he said, in reference to Yasser Arafat's declaration of statehood in 1988, a declaration since recognized by around 100 countries.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, is expected to convene a meeting of his senior ministers the forum known as the septet on Thursday to discuss the recent developments.
The septet is also likely to be briefed on meetings senior White House adviser Dennis Ross, who arrived late on Tuesday for an unannounced visit, held in Jerusalem on Wednesday, reportedly with top defense officials.
Ross is widely believed to be the force behind the package of incentives that the US offered Israel in exchange for an extension of the settlement freeze, and has reportedly been engaged in a bit of a turf war with Mitchell regarding the Obama administration's Mideast policy.
While Ross was originally thought to be concentrating on Iran inside the Obama administration, his role in the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process has reportedly increased significantly over the past few months.
Neither US nor Israeli officials were willing to talk about the Ross visit, leading some to conclude that he was here discussing Iran, and others to believe he was discussing the parameters of Israel's security needs in the event that a Palestinian state were established.
In a related development, Norway upgraded the PLO diplomatic mission in Oslo to an embassy and called for the creation of a Palestinian state in 2011.
We should all cling to the vision of 2011 being the year where we can see a new state on the world stage: a Palestinian state, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said, at a press conference in Oslo.
Stoere met with Fayyad in Oslo on Wednesday.
The Norwegian move, like an EU statement earlier this week saying it would recognize Palestinian statehood when appropriate, stopped short of the recognition Palestinians are seeking.
Norway is not a member of the EU.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=199609
7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 16 dec 2010
Palestinians may buy Jewish complex in east Jerusalem
Jewish residents moved to make a political statement, are now faced with the idea that a Palestinian businessmen may sell units to Arab families.
Jewish residents of a luxury apartment complex in the middle of the east Jerusalem Arab neighborhood of Jebl Mukaber were shocked when it was announced last week that the company building the project, Digal Ltd., was in so much financial trouble that its bondholders agreed to sell the firm's NIS 55 million debt to a company owned by a Palestinian-American businessman.
The company also owes NIS 70m. or more to Bank Leumi.
Digal's main project, Nof Zion, is slated to have almost 400 apartments, plus a synagogue, hotel, shopping center, country club and nursery school. The first phase, with 91 apartments, has already been completed and residents moved in two years ago.
Many of them moved to the neighborhood to make a political statement about Jewish sovereignty, and are now faced with the discomforting idea that a Palestinian businessman might start selling the rest of the units to Arab families. The project has already received the necessary approvals from the Interior Ministry, although it is waiting for the final construction permit, which is largely a technicality, from the municipality.
It's the opposite of what they promised, and it's a breach of our contract, said resident Motti Mintzer, who is leading the residents in an effort to buy the land from Digal.
They said we're buying our residence unit in a Jewish community with a big synagogue, 24/7 guards, and now we may find ourselves in the middle of a Palestinian community, cut off from main Jerusalem.
Digal Ltd. fell into hard times after failing to sell as many apartments as they had hoped. Part of the problem, critics say, is that the company tried too hard to market the apartments to overseas Jews rather than the local national religious community. The luxury apartments were not affordable for Israelis, leading Digal to significantly lower the prices.
They wanted ideological people, but ideological people don't always have money, said Hagit Ofran, from Peace Now.
The hostile takeover was negotiated by Dov Weisglass, who was director of Ariel Sharon's bureau when Sharon was prime minister, who represented a Cypriot company, Techsal Trading Ltd.
Techsal, owned by a Palestinian businessman who also has an American passport, wanted to buy Digal's NIS 55m. debt at the price of 60 agarot on the shekel. Bondholders accepted the offer on December 7 and are now entering into negotiations.
Bemunah Ltd., a company that builds national religious housing projects, immediately launched an appeal to Jewish investors around the world to invest in a company that would buy the land for the second stage of the Nof Zion project for NIS 48m. Buying the remaining land will enable the project to move forward without any input from Techsal.
A week later, Bemunah has already raised half of the NIS 48m., with investments from NIS 320,000 to NIS 5m.
It was clear to us that on one side there's a nationalistic mission, and on the other side, it's a profitable endeavor that people would buy it, said Bemunah's Ronen Weil, who is heading the Nof Zion acquisition project.
After Bemunah raises the capital, it will enter into negotiations with Digal to buy the land. Digal did not return repeated phone calls requesting comment.
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=199615 7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 17 dec 2010
E.U. Consuls in Jerusalem Urge Brussels to Get More Involved
An annual report by E.U. Consuls in Jerusalem and Ramallah, with regard to the general living conditions in the Occupied East Jerusalem, urges Brussels to implement its own policy to avoid the ongoing Israeli occupation in the area. The Spanish daily Público has had access to the document.
In the report, the consuls analyzed the political, economical and social situation of East Jerusalem, which they considered to be critical, transmitting it to the E.U. and proposing a road map.
They urged E.U. ministers to implement the European policy in Jerusalem in a "more active and visible way", and to use the meetings between Israeli and European leaders to convey "a clear and consistent" message over East Jerusalem.
The paper estimated that some 190,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the occupied area of the holy city and stressed that 37% of the settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories are located in Jerusalem, as an important piece for the Judaization plan of the city.
In addition, it noted that Israel does not allow any institutional activity of the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem, and is closing some institutions every six months, an issues that has created a "leadership vacuum" in East Jerusalem.
The report concluded by outlining a list of recommendations, which include approaching a "consistent Palestinian strategy " with regard to Jerusalem; to promote the establishment of a PLO representative in Jerusalem; to adopt a legislation to stop European investments which collaborate with the Jewish settlements; and to ensure that no goods produced in Israeli settlements are illegally exported to Europe.
The document also called for the promotion of economic and social rights for the Arab population in Jerusalem and to recognize the cultural and religious dimension of the city, without discrimination.
The diplomats reminded E.U. Heads of State and Governments that Europe is committed to "an independent Palestinian state, democratic, contiguous and viable (...) including East Jerusalem."
The report can be read as a full in the following link; http://bit.ly/hWvryD
http://www.imemc.org/article/60196 7 jan 2012, 21:21 , Respect -
Maria 18 dec 2010
Ban: Settlement freeze top UN agenda
Ban confessed that few Palestinians or Israelis are optimistic that anything decisive will be achieved next year, or even at all.
The United Nations has identified improving living conditions in the Gaza Strip and ending Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian lands as among its top priorities in the new year.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made the announcement on Friday at the world body's headquarters in New York.
The UN chief said the United Nations will work to improve the quality of life in Gaza.
The coastal strip has been under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007, when Hamas -- the democratically-elected ruler of Gaza -- took control of the Palestinian enclave.
At the turn of 2009, the Israeli military launched a deadly assault on Gaza, killing at least 1,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
Meanwhile, the UN chief once again stressed that Israel must halt its settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Earlier this month, Ban censured Tel Aviv for refusing to extend its now expired partial settlement freeze, calling it a snub to the international community.
Last year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas agreed to renew direct talks in order to reach a concession on the two-state solution roadmap, erected by the United States.
But the talks faded away after Tel Aviv refused to stop the construction and expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds.
The direct talks were re-launched on September 2, but were stalled again three weeks later when the Israelis refused to extend a partial 10-month freeze that was halfheartedly enforced on its illegal settlement activities.
Palestinians say that the settlement construction aims at preventing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Tel Aviv occupied Palestinian territories in 1967 and later annexed them in a move not recognized by the international community.
http://www.presstv.com/detail/156115.html