The United States and Europe had asked Israel to curb settlement expansion in the West Bank while efforts are being made to get Israel & Palestine back to negotiating table. Israel's response was basically, "Fuck You" and began one of its most vigorous and largest expansion yet with the approval of 277 new homes in the settlement of Ariel.
Ariel is one of the largest settlements Israel has built in the West Bank [GALLO/GETTY]
The U.S. State Department voiced concern and called the action deeply troubling to the peace process. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and annexed East Jerusalem, a move not recognized by the international community. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
"Once again, these Israeli settlement measures represent a strong reason calling on us to go to the United Nations and the Security Council to request membership for the State of Palestine and to halt these Israeli measures" , said Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesperson for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority.
The whole Israel expansion thing drives me nuts. At least there are Israelis who see the practice as destructive, and try to stop it. Doesn't seem like they have much success, but then we don't have much success against our country's right wing either. Yes, Palestinian statehood now. It amazes me that this hasn't happened yet. In a rational world, this would have happened ages ago.
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