Tag Archive for new construction

| June 6, 2014
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Palestinians swear ‘unprecedented response’ to newest Jewish housing construction

 

 

While Livni says the decision to build 1,500 new homes is another diplomatic blunder, Housing Minister says additional Jewish construction is the only “fitting Zionist response to the formation of a Palestinian terror gov’t.”

By Israel Hayom Staff

 

Israel’s Housing Ministry announced Wednesday that it was advancing plans for 1,500 new housing units in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem in response to the establishment of a new Palestinian unity government.

The East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo – Photo: AP

Israel has vowed to take punitive action in response to the Palestinian unity government formed last week because it is backed by the militant group Hamas.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| March 24, 2014
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PA chief negotiator Erekat claims Netanyahu prioritized settlements over peace

 

Palestinian negotiator Erekat misdirects from Palestinian intransigence by blaming Israel for settlement construction and ‘systematic’ attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque, as deadline approaches.

By Ynetnews

 

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat claims Israel values settlement expansion over peace negotiations, in comments made after Israel announced additional settlement construction and a report said the US fears talks are failing.

Israeli negotiator Livni, Palestinian negotiator Erekat (Photo: EPA/Archive)

Israeli negotiator Livni, Palestinian negotiator Erekat – Photo: EPA/Archive

Erekat made his remarks during separate meetings with visiting Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and with UN envoy Robert Serry and US peace envoy Martin Indyk, Ma’an reported.

Israel has progressed with plans for roughly 2,500 new homes in six West Bank settlements, an official confirmed Thursday, in a move many agree will likely further endanger peace talks. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| March 20, 2014
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Israel approved 184 new homes for Jerusalem neighborhoods

 

Additional permits for new Har Homa & Pisgat Zeev homes causes serious distress among Palestinian negotiators involved in talks.

By Reuters

 

The Jerusalem municipality approved building plans on Wednesday for 184 new homes in two Jewish settlements in the West Bank, drawing anger from Palestinians engaged in faltering statehood talks.

A construction worker working on a new housing unit in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, which the EU considers illegal [Archive] – Photo: AP

A municipality spokeswoman said the local planning committee had approved requests by private contractors who purchased the land years ago for the construction of 144 homes in Har Homa and 40 dwellings in Pisgat Zeev. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| March 5, 2014
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The Half-Truths & Myth of Israel’s 2013 Settlement Boom

 

 

It’s deceitful to talk about a 120% increase in ‘settlement activity’ in 2013 when in 2012 there was almost no construction because of an imposed building freeze. Besides, Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics says only 5.7% of all new construction in 2013 was in the ‘West Bank’.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Fueling recent heavy criticism of Israel amidst ongoing US-brokered peace talks is the perception that construction of new Jewish homes on lands claimed by the Palestinians skyrocketed over the past year.

Construction site in the West Bank settlement of Modiin Illit.

Construction site in the West Bank settlement of Modiin Illit. – Photo: AP

Even Israeli newspapers on Tuesday ran reports that while new building starts in Tel Aviv had decreased by 19 percent in 2013 compared to the previous year, Jewish construction in the so-called “West Bank” had shot up by 123 percent. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| March 3, 2014
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2013 statistic: 123% rise in new settlement construction during past year

 

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics says only 5.7% of all new construction by Israel in 2013 was in West Bank.

By Elior Levy

 

New Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank increased by more than 120 percent in 2013 from the year before, according to new data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

Construction site in the West Bank settlement of Modiin Illit.

Construction site in the West Bank settlement of Modiin Illit. – Photo: AP

The data shows that there was a growth of 123.7 percent in “dwellings begun” in Judea and Samaria in 2013, comprising some 5.7 percent of all new construction by Israel last year. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 12, 2014
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Israel to build 9-story yeshiva in East Jerusalem

Plans for a 9-story Jewish ultra-Orthodox seminary to be built in Jerusalem’s densely-populated Palestinian neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, were submitted today.

By i24news – AFP

 

Jerusalem’s planning committee moved forwards on Wednesday with plans to build a nine-story Jewish seminary in the heart of a densely-populated Palestinian neighborhood near the Old City.

Israel's controversial separation barrier surrounds the Ras Khamis neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, on November 12, 2013 ( Ahmad Gharabli (AFP) )

Plans for the new tower block, to be built in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Arab east Jerusalem, were deposited for consultation, giving the public 60 days to submit any objections, settlement watchdog Peace Now said.

“It’s a plan for a nine-story, ultra-Orthodox yeshiva in Sheikh Jarrah which was deposited today for objections,” spokesperson Lior Amihai told AFP. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 5, 2014
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Leftists & Arabs Alike Angered Over Continued Jerusalem Building

On Wednesday 550 new housing permits were issued for growing Jerusalem neighborhoods.

Peace Now says it ‘shameful’.

By Arutz Sheva Staff and AFP

 

Left wing groups have condemned recently-announced decision to construct 550 housing units in Jerusalem Wednesday.

Archive photo of construction in East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa. – Photo: AP

The newly-issued building permits include 386 units in Har Homa, 136 units in Neve Yaakov and 36 units in Pisgat Zeev, according to AFP.

Issuing permits is one of the last stages before construction begins, which means building is likely to start in the coming weeks, according to the far-left Peace Now NGO. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 2, 2014
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Denmark’s largest bank boycotts Israel’s Hapoalim over new home construction

Danske Bank accuses Bank Hapoalim of violating rules of int’l humanitarian law.

Danish bank already withdrew investments from 2 Israeli firms.

By

 

Denmark’s largest bank decided to blacklist Bank Hapoalim because of its involvement in the funding of settlement construction.

Construction site in the West Bank settlement of Modiin Illit.

Construction site in the West Bank settlement of Modiin Illit. – Photo: AP

Danske Bank added Bank Hapoalim to its list of companies in which the company cannot invest due to its corporate accountability rules.

In an announcement posted on its website, the bank stated that Bank Hapoalim was acting against the rules of international humanitarian law.

Israeli website Walla reported on the Danish bank’s decision earlier on Saturday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| January 23, 2014
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Jerusalem advances building plans for 642 new homes

 

Israel maintains that there is no relationship between settlement building & the peace process. Building new homes is the natural process of growth & prosperity.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
 

 

Israel this week advanced plans for 642 new settler homes in the West Bank as an Israeli delegation was in Washington to discuss the peace process with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

A construction worker working on a new housing unit in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, which the EU considers illegal [Archive] – Photo: AP

The Palestinians have insisted that continued settlement activity is destroying the peace process and the US has repeatedly said that it is not helpful. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| January 16, 2014
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Netanyahu Angry over EU ‘Hypocrisy’ on Settlements while ignoring Arab Incitement

After Israeli envoys in Europe were called to explain new settlement construction, Netanyahu quips, ‘When did the EU summon the Palestinian ambassadors over their incitement calls for Israel’s destruction?’

By Gil Ronen and AFP

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed the European Union Thursday for summoning envoys over recently unveiled plans for some 1,800 new homes for Jews in the ancient Jewish capital of Jerusalem, and the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria.

“This is hypocrisy. The EU calls our ambassadors in because of the construction of a few houses? When did the EU call in the Palestinian ambassadors about incitement that calls for Israel’s destruction?” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| January 1, 2014
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Abbas threatens int’l legal action against settlement construction

 

Just one day before Kerry’s return to Mid-East, PA President Abbas condemns Israeli settlement construction in West Bank & Jerusalem, saying ‘We will not remain silent as the settlement cancer continues to spreads’

By AFP

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas threatened diplomatic and legal action against the “cancer” of Israeli settlement building, a day ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Abbas with Kerry (Photo: AP)

Abbas with Kerry – Photo: AP

“We will not remain patient as the settlement cancer spreads, especially in (east) Jerusalem, and we will use our right as a UN observer state by taking political, diplomatic and legal action to stop it,” he said during a speech in Ramallah to mark the 49th anniversary of the founding of the Fatah party. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 27, 2013
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Ministers to decide on Palestinian prisoner release list

 

Palestinians officials outraged at planned announcement of new Israeli settlement constructions plans, alongside the release of jailed Palestinian terrorists.

By HERB KEINON, KHALED ABU TOAMEH
 

 

The ministerial committee tasked with selecting the list of Palestinian security prisoners to be released is scheduled to meet on Saturday night to decide on those to be freed late Monday night, in the third out of four such releases.

A released Palestinian prisoner at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip.

A released Palestinian prisoner at the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip. – Photo: REUTERS

Soon after the prisoner release, Israel is expected to announce plans for construction beyond the Green Line. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| December 27, 2013
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EU Official Threatens Israel Over Planned Construction Announcement

EU official warns Israel to expect a “strong reaction” if Jerusalem announces new housing construction in Judea & Samaria.

By Elad Benari

 

The European Union (EU) is unhappy with reports that Israel plans to publish tenders for the sale of 1,400 housing units in Judea and Samaria, Channel 10 News reported on Thursday.

A senior EU official who spoke to the channel issued a direct warning to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, saying that the EU would not tolerate new construction in Judea and Samaria.

“There will be very little understanding on the part of European governments regarding any announcement of construction in the territories now under negotiations. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 26, 2013
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Israeli Official: PM Netanyahu plans announcing new settlement construction

 

Israeli official says the Prime Minister, contrary to EU demands, is likely to announce plans for new settlement construction next week, coinciding with expected release of 3rd group of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists.

By AP

Israel likely will announce new plans for construction in Jewish settlements next week, an official said Wednesday, a move that is likely to trigger an international uproar and threaten peace talks with the Palestinians.

Settlements in the Samarian mountains (Photo:Tamar Lavmor Shlomovitz)

Settlements in the Samarian mountains – Photo:Tamar Lavmor Shlomovitz

The timing of the announcement would coincide with the expected release of a group of Palestinian prisoners. The government has announced new settlement construction plans during previous prisoner releases to blunt domestic criticism. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 18, 2013
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EU threatens Israel not to make further settlement construction announcements

 

EU dictates to Jerusalem: No gov’t announcements on new settlement construction after Palestinian prisoner release at end of month.

European delegation tells Israeli officials: There will be dire consequences if current round of peace talks collapses.

By The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

The European Union yesterday said it had asked Israel not to announce any new West Bank settlement construction following an expected Palestinian prisoner release, warning it would be blamed for any resulting failure in the Mideast peace talks.

A construction worker working on a new housing unit in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, which the EU considers illegal [Archive] – Photo: AP

In further pressure on Israel, a European delegation told Israeli officials there could be dire consequences if the current round of peace talks collapsed, including economic sanctions against the settlements, an EU official said. Continue Reading »

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