West Bank settlers reject Netanyahu plea for support

[Lady Macbeth]

Jewish settlers have rejected an attempt by the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to defuse tensions over a pause in building in the West Bank.


Benjamin Netanyahu said building could resume after 10 months

They vowed to continue a civil disobedience campaign stopping inspectors from entering settlements, now in its third day.
Speaking on Israeli radio, settlers described the meeting with PM as "difficult and emotionally charged".
The settlers have scheduled a mass demonstration next week in Jerusalem.
The Palestinians have refused to resume peace talks with Israel unless it completely halts all settlement construction, and has complained that the suspension does not go far enough.
Mr Netanyahu declared last week that Israel would restrict residential building in the West Bank for 10 months, but settlers vowed to defy the policy.
There has so far been no violence as inspectors tried to enter settlements to enforce the policy this week, but 13 people have been arrested.
At a two-hour meeting with settler leaders on Wednesday in Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu promised that building work could resume after the 10-month lull.
"You may demonstrate, protest and express your opinions, but it cannot be that you will not abide by decisions which have been made according to law," he said.
"Nothing came out of the meeting," settler leader Pinhas Walerstein told AFP, adding that he did not believe building would resume in 10 months' time.
Another leader, Danny Dayan, told Israel radio the settlers would continue to oppose the building restrictions.
Earlier, Defence Minister Ehud Barak eased rules on the procedure for granting permission for minor repairs and improvements to existing houses.
The Israeli state also said in a submission to the High Court of Justice that its ability to remove outposts - settlements illegal even under Israeli law - might be reduced because of the resources required to enforce the building curbs.
Palestinians say the new building restrictions do not go far enough, particularly because they do not include East Jerusalem.
About half a million Israelis live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel has occupied since 1967 and the Palestinians claim for a future state.
The settlements are illegal under international law.


BBC News - West Bank settlers reject Netanyahu plea for support

[Lady Macbeth]

There is no such thing as restraint when it comes to settlement activity. Either this stops completely or clearly it doesn't stop
Salam Fayyad- Palestinian Authority Prime Minister

[Lady Macbeth]

US President Barack Obama has said Israel's approval of 900 extra housing units at a settlement in East Jerusalem could lead to a "dangerous" situation.



Mr Obama told Fox News that additional settlement construction made it harder for Israel to make peace in the region and "embitters the Palestinians".
The settlement of Gilo has been built on land Israel captured in 1967.
The Palestinians have refused to attend peace talks until Israel stops building settlements on occupied territory.
The Israeli government disputes that East Jerusalem is occupied territory, and therefore refuses to include annexed areas as part of any accommodation of Mr Obama's past calls for "restraint" in settlement construction.
Nearly 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built on occupied territory.
The settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
In the interview with Fox News, Mr Obama stressed that Israel's security was "a vital national interest to the United States", but warned that its policies were complicating his administration's efforts to revive the peace process.
"I think that additional settlement building does not contribute to Israel's security, I think it makes it harder for them to make peace with their neighbours," he said.
"I think it embitters the Palestinians in a way that could end up being very dangerous," he added.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reportedly rejected a request from Mr Obama to freeze the work at Gilo.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the settlement expansion, approved by the Jerusalem Planning Committee, showed Israel was not interested in restraint.
"Obviously this is completely unacceptable.
"There is no such thing as restraint when it comes to settlement activity. Either this stops completely or clearly it doesn't stop."
The European Union presidency, currently held by Sweden, added its criticism, saying settlement expansion would hinder the conflict's resolution.
"If there is to be genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states," it said.
Israel demolished a Palestinian property in occupied East Jerusalem a day after the planning decision was publicised.
Palestinian reports said there were two homes and two commercial premises in the building.
Israeli officials commonly say that buildings they issue demolition orders for have been built without permission.
Palestinians say building permits are virtually impossible to obtain as they face discrimination by the Israeli authorities.

BBC News - Obama warns Israel on settlements