Israel to advance east Jerusalem building plans ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Amy Teibel - December 4, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM —Israel is moving forward with plans for two major settlement projects in east Jerusalem, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, even as a senior Palestinian official warned that his government could pursue war crimes charges if Israel doesn't halt such construction. International anger over Israeli settlement construction has snowballed in recent days, following last week's U.N. recognition of a state of Palestine — in lands Israel occupied in 1967 — as a non-member observer in the General Assembly. » Read more

U.S. intensifies criticism of Israel on settlement plan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Andrew Quinn, Matt Spetalnick - December 3, 2012 - 1:00am WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday ratcheted up criticism of Israel over plans to expand Jewish settlement building on occupied land, urging it to reconsider despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to back down. The Obama administration's tougher-than-usual words for close ally Israel came after five European governments summoned Israeli ambassadors in their capitals to express concern over the new settlement projects. But Washington stopped short of threatening any concrete measures against the Jewish state. » Read more

Australia summons Israel ambassador over settlements ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters December 4, 2012 - 1:00am CANBERRA (Reuters) -- Australia summoned the Israeli ambassador on Tuesday to protest against Israel's decision to expand Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and withhold tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority. Australia's move followed similar actions in Europe including Spain, France, Britain, Sweden and Denmark in the wake of the Palestinians winning de facto UN recognition of statehood. » Read more

5 European Nations Summon Envoys of Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - December 3, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — Britain, France, Spain, Sweden and Denmark summoned the Israeli ambassadors to their countries on Monday to protest Israel’s plans for increased settlement construction, an unusually sharp diplomatic step that reflected the growing frustration abroad with Israel’s policies on the Palestinian issue. » Read more

'U.S. angered by claim that new building at E-1 aimed at Obama, not Palestinians' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Chemi Shalev - December 3, 2012 - 1:00am The U.S. Administration intensified criticism of Israel’s decision to proceed with construction at the E-1 site near Ma'ale Adumim in response to indications that the move was meant to “retaliate” against U.S. President Barack Obama for his refusal to endorse the 2004 Sharon-Bush letter on settlement blocs. » Read more

Israel to build new Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua December 3, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Jerusalem Municipality is set to authorize a new Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem later this month beyond the 1967 lines on annexed Palestinian territories. Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Kobi Kahlon confirmed to the Jerusalem Post on Monday that the final authorization of the neighborhood, Givat Hamatos, is set to include 2,610 housing units and will be given on Dec. 19. » Read more