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IHS Jane's: Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis
 

US peace efforts hit by Israeli construction

3/10/2010

Biden arrived to add impetus to the Palestinian leadership's decision on 7 March to accept an offer for indirect peace talks with Israel brokered by US Special Envoy George Mitchell. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed the prospect of talks on 8 March. However, the positive atmosphere was overshadowed by an Israeli ministry of defence decision on 8 March to permit the construction of 112 apartments at the ultra-orthodox West Bank settlement of Beitar Illit.

At first glance, this construction activity appears to be a violation of the 10-month settlement freeze Netanyahu announced in November 2009, when he said building would be restricted to the 3,000 units already under construction, although he also said there would be "exceptions". Permitted on what the defence ministry described as safety and infrastructure grounds, the Beitar Illit construction is seen by Israel as just such an exception.

However, Palestinians do not see it that way. Already angry that, despite the Israeli freeze, settlement activity is continuing, the timing of this announcement was seen as inopportune.

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US Vice-President Joseph Biden waves to onlookers on his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on 8 March.
US Vice-President Joseph Biden waves to onlookers on his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on 8 March.(Press Association)

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