The caption of an AP photo of the Beitar Ilit settlement (city) in the West Bank reads:
The West Bank Jewish settlement of Beitar Ilit is seen through a barbed wire fence, Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to approve some hundreds of new housing units in West Bank settlements before slowing settlement construction, two of his aides said Friday, in an apparent snub of Washington’s public demand for a total settlement freeze.
Coverage of the announcement revealed headlines ranging from Israel To Build New Houses In Settlements to Israel Confronts Obama to more sharp rebukes like, US Fury as Israel Defies Settlement Freeze Call.
JERUSALEM — Israel said Friday it will construct hundreds of new housing units in West Bank settlements before any slowdown in building, an announcement that drew harsh criticism from Washington, which demands a complete settlement freeze as a prelude to renewing Mideast peace talks.
Israeli officials painted the move as a concession to the U.S. demand because it might bring a temporary halt to other construction. But since it would also mean building the new units and finishing some 2,500 others now under construction, it looked more like defiance than acquiescence.
Israel’s proposal also does not include any freeze in building in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians hope to make their future capital.
Press secretary Robert Gibbs responded, and he did not mince words:
“We regret the reports of Israel’s plans to approve additional settlement construction,” Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, said. “As the President has said before, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge it to stop.”
Another US official (not identified) said.
“In the end, America will be forced to do what is necessary to bring the Israelis and the Palestinians back to the negotiation table. But the Netanyahu Government has proven difficult to work with.”
Palestinian officials were likewise miffed:
“What the Israeli Government said is not useful… is unacceptable for us. We want a freeze on all settlement construction,” said Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President. He reiterated that the entire Middle East peace process hinged on a freeze of all Israeli settlement construction.
Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian negotiator, also slammed the move, stating that it was unacceptable and could threaten to delay progress made in the peace process.
Threaten to delay? Well, isn’t that the point?
