Israel disputes U.S. statements, says West Bank housing project not a new settlement

Record ID: 84634

  • Title: Israel disputes U.S. statements, says West Bank housing project not a new settlement
  • Date: 6th October 2016
  • Summary: PICTURE OF PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS HANGING ON WALL
  • Embargoed: 21st October 2016 11:45
  • Keywords: Israel Palestinians West Bank Shilo Settlements USA
  • Location: SHILO AND SHEVUT RACHEL SETTLEMENT, WEST BANK/JERUSALEM/JERICHO, WEST BANK
  • City: SHILO AND SHEVUT RACHEL SETTLEMENT, WEST BANK/JERUSALEM/JERICHO, WEST BANK
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA00252V8VGN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Israel said on late on Wednesday (October 5) that new houses it was building in the occupied West Bank did not constitute a new settlement, dismissing a strong U.S. condemnation of the project.
    "The 98 housing units approved in Shilo (settlement) do not constitute a 'new settlement'. This housing will be built...in the existing settlement of Shilo and will not change its municipal boundary or geographical footprint," a Foreign Ministry statement said.
    The United States sharply criticized Israel on Wednesday over plans to build a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank that it said would damage prospects for peace with the Palestinians and contradicted assurances made to Washington.
    The United States contends that the project constitutes the establishment of a new settlement in the West Bank, contrary to assurances by Netanyahu that no new settlements would be built.
    Israel regards the planned housing units as part of an existing settlement called Shilo, which is about halfway between the Palestinian seat of government in Ramallah and Nablus further north.
    Israeli anti-settlement watchdog "Peace Now" called the Israeli move "a slam in the face of the President of the United States".
    Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Israeli government wants to "destroy the prospects of peace".
    The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement the new housing units do not constitute a new settlement and that it remained committed to a two-state solution.
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