Settlements | The American Task Force on Palestine

US rhetoric on settlements tested at the UN
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
February 18, 2011 - 1:00am

A good tongue lashing hurts, but it rarely stings. American criticism of Israeli policy offers a case in point. As much of the rest of the world has stood up at the United Nations to ink its displeasure with Israel for decades, one nation has proven the reliable spoiler. All of which makes America’s support for a new Security Council statement condemning Israel’s settlement construction encouraging. The US Ambassador to the UN has reportedly expressed interest in a measure that, in part, “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity”.

U.S. pushing Palestinians to drop UN resolution on settlement construction
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - February 17, 2011 - 1:00am

The United States is putting heavy pressure on the Palestinian Authority and Arab states to withdraw a draft resolution condemning Israeli settlements. The resolution is due to come up for a vote at the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Washington has made it clear that it will veto the resolution should it come to a vote, and has implored the Palestinian Authority and other Arab nations to withdraw the proposal, but to no avail.

WEST BANK: Obama calls Mahmoud Abbas, who calls for urgent leadership meeting
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - February 17, 2011 - 1:00am

On the eve of a planned United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, President Obama called his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, on Thursday to discuss the measure. Palestinian sources said Obama tried to dissuade Abbas from proceeding with the resolution, which the U.S. strongly opposes on grounds that it will obstruct efforts to resume Palestinian-Israeli negotiations suspended since September.

PLO to press on with settlement vote at UN
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 16, 2011 - 1:00am

Palestinian representatives at the UN will push forward with a draft resolution calling on the Security Council to condemn settlement construction, PLO Executive Committee member Saleh Raafat said Tuesday. A vote will be held on the resolution "[d]espite all of the pressure exerted on the Palestinians and the Arab-state supporters by the US," Raafat said.

U.S. reportedly proposing U.N. ‘statement’ on settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
February 16, 2011 - 1:00am

The United States reportedly is backing a United Nations Security Council statement that would slam Israel on settlements but would stop short of a resolution.

Jerusalem official warns eyes on Egypt put city at risk
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 16, 2011 - 1:00am

With global political attention on Egypt, a Fatah spokesman warned Wednesday, "Israel has been increasing settlement activity in East Jerusalem," and putting the future of the city at risk. Recent decisions by Israeli forces, including the announcement of three new settlement construction projects and plans to move the police training college into the occupied eastern flank of the city, spokesman Osama Al-Qawasmi said in a statement, have officials concerned.

'Defense Ministry keeping lawmakers in the dark about West Bank construction laws'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jonathan Lis - February 15, 2011 - 1:00am

The Defense Ministry is withholding information from the Knesset in violation of the law and preventing oversight of its operations, Knesset members and staff from the Knesset's Research and Information Center contend.

Army razes illegal settler outpost
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Yair Altman - February 15, 2011 - 1:00am

Six Jewish settlers were arrested on Tuesday during the razing of the illegal West Bank outpost Ramat Migron. The settlers hurled stones at security forces and tried to block their path. Soldiers arrived at the outpost in the morning and quickly took it over while additional forces blocked roads and trails leading to it to prevent rightists from disrupting the demolition works. The soldiers left after they razed five makeshift structures in two hours.

Israel to build more East Jerusalem homes
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
February 15, 2011 - 1:00am

Jerusalem's municipal council on Monday approved the construction of 120 new homes in the Jewish settlement neighborhood of Ramot in annexed East Jerusalem, a councilor told AFP. "It's not good news," Pepe Alalu of the opposition Meretz party said. "They approved 120 housing units in Ramot... there were two permits authorized, one for 56 housing units and another for 64."

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