|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Netanyahu: We'll build in existing settlements
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Issue
|
| Contributor | Penguin |
| Last Edited | Penguin May 24, 2009 03:42pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | News |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Sunday, May 24, 2009 09:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel will continue to build homes in existing West Bank settlements, defying U.S. calls to halt settlement growth.
The comments came days after a contentious visit to the White House and threatened to widen a growing rift with the Obama administration. The U.S. considers the settlements — home to some 280,000 Israelis — obstacles to peace since they are built on captured territory the Palestinians claim for a future state.
Netanyahu told the weekly meeting of his Cabinet that he would not allow any new settlements to be created, but said existing settlements must be allowed to expand for "natural growth," the ill-defined term Israel uses for population growth in the settlements.
"We will not build new settlements," he said, according to remarks released by his office. "But it is not fair not to provide a solution to natural growth."
An official who attended the meeting quoted Netanyahu as saying, "There is no way that we are going to tell people not to have children or to force young people to move away from their families." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was closed.
Netanyahu has voiced this policy before, but his affirmation of his plans took on added significance coming so close after his tense first White House visit with President Barack Obama. U.S. policy on Israeli settlements does not allow for natural growth. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
