Barghouti: Israelis set sights on 3,000 settlement units despite peace talks

[ 05/09/2010 - 01:47 PM ]

RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Palestinian National Initiative Secretary-General Mustafa Barghouti says Israeli settlement activities “are well under way” despite recent peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

Israel never abided by its decision to freeze settlement activity in the city of Jerusalem and its suburbs, Barghouti said in a press statement Saturday, adding that construction operations continue in the West Bank. Israeli settlers seized 130 acres in the south Nablus village Qaryut alone, he noted.

Settlers from several West Bank settlements have begun preparing equipment and cement mixers since last Wednesday to establish homes and gathering centers.

Barghouti unfolded in his statement an Israeli scandal to build 3,000 new homes in West Bank settlements.

The settlement freeze is only a trick, Bargouti commented, noting that settlers began three days back building a new settlement outpost in an east Al-Khalil farming village. The Israeli government approved last month erecting 23 classrooms in eight West Bank settlements.

Larger settlements are home to huge building projects. 180 new settlement units have been built in the Beitar Illit settlement, 62 in the Burkan settlement, 100 in Benreih, and 60 in Sha'arei Tikva, the official provided.

Construction is now in progression in several Israeli settlements, including Givat Ze'ev, where 40 settlement units are being built, Mitzpe Jericho (24 units), Ariel (22 units), Kfar Etzion (20 units), Kfar Adumim (18 units), Itamar (12 units), Ali (11 units), Ornet (9 units), Beitar Illit (7 units), Elqana (6 units), Eliezer (5 units), and Yakir (5 units).

“This data confirms that going into negotiations before the settlement freeze was the wrong decision,” Barghouti concluded.



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