(Ha'aretz) Negotiations are slated to begin in coming weeks between Israel and the U.S. on demarcation of construction borders for each West Bank settlement. Israel will be asking the Bush administration for a different approach to the major settlement blocs in the territories and an understanding that Israel be allowed to expand them. Major blocs considered part of the consensus will be bolstered alongside implementation of the disengagement plan. A senior political official cited Ma'ale Adumim, Gush Etzion, Ariel, Immanuel, Betar Ilit, and Modi'in Ilit as examples of blocs that will see continued construction beyond the present construction line. Israel's objective is to have Bush's declared recognition of settlement blocs translate into immediate action on the ground, not remain a statement helpful to Israel only during final-status negotiations, officials said.
2004-08-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive