US criticises Israeli settlements and wall

[Violet_Crumble]

Washington
November 16, 2003

United States officials have sent sharp messages to Israel criticising its settlement policy in the occupied territories and the security barrier it is building along the West Bank, the Israeli Ha'aretz daily reported today.

The messages were relayed in a series of telephone conversations National Security Council Middle East Director Elliot Abrams held with Dov Weisglass, the head of Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's bureau.

Similar criticism was also heard in meetings Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz held with administration officials in Washington. The US says Israel has reneged on promises to dismantle unauthorised settlement outposts in the West Bank and to freeze settlement construction.

The criticism was sparked by a tender the Israeli Ministry of Housing and Construction issued for the building of hundreds of homes in settlements.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/16/1068917673713.html

[bluesoul]

1. And that's as far

as they will go. Nothing more...

[La_Serpiente]

2. *Clap*Clap*

Finally, the raised a finger. Too bad they are going to put it back down.

[dArKeR]

3. West Bank settlements top 100 - News24

Jerusalem - A total of 103 settlement outposts, which were meant to be all torn down under the terms of the Middle East "roadmap" peace plan, are now dotted around the West Bank, the settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Monday.

Five out of eight of the outposts which were dismantled in a wave of publicity last summer after the internationally-backed peace blueprint was launched in the Jordanian resort of Aqaba have since been rebuilt, the group said in a statement.

"There are 103 settlements, including 56 which have been established since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon came to power in March 2001," Peace Now said.

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1446563,00.html

I really don't too much of what going on out there. Can someone explain to me.

The Palestinians want Israel to get off their land.

What is the official/unofficial reason Israel gives for keeping and expanding these settlements?

[bluesoul]

4. Simple answer

Land-grabbing (stealing)...