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

Record ID: 84635

  • Title: Israel disputes U.S. statements, says West Bank housing project not a new settlement
  • Date: 6th October 2016
  • Summary: SHILO AND SHEVUT RACHEL SETTLEMENT, WEST BANK (OCTOBER 6, 2016) (REUTERS) VIEW OF SHILO AND SHEVUT RACHEL SETTLEMENTS ROAD SIGN READING 'SHILO/ SHEVUT RACHEL’ VARIOUS GV'S OF SETTLEMENTS VARIOUS OF ISRAELI FLAG ON MAKESHIFT STRUCTURE GV'S OF SETTLEMENTS JERUSALEM (OCTOBER 6, 2016) (REUTERS) ISRAELI ANTI-SETTLEMENT WATCHDOG PEACE NOW SPOKESPERSON HAGIT OFRAN TALKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI ANTI-SETTLEMENT WATCHDOG PEACE NOW SPOKESPERSON HAGIT OFRAN, SAYING: "It's a slam in the face of the president of the United States and it is against the Israeli interest of getting to peace. And I think that our government is going crazy for 40 families that are on an illegal settlement and is ready to give up the essential Israeli interest for supporting those settlers." JERICHO, WEST BANK (OCTOBER 6, 2016) (REUTERS) PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATION AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SIGN PALESTINIAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR SAEB EREKAT SEATED IN OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PALESTINIAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, SAYING: "The Israeli government is defiant and insists on continuing its settlement activists, tenders, plans - is a reflection of the fact that this government wants to undermine the two-state solution, wants to destroy the prospects of peace and that is the honest truth."
  • 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: LVA00152V8VGN
  • 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.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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