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No peace move here.....

Israel says one thing, does the opposite. Despite all the pious words of seeking peace with the Palestinians, Israel plans on expanding a settlement [let's call it for what it is - the beginnings of a town] on the West Bank. Apart from a snub to the Americans, Israel knows that in this year of a US election, nary a word of criticism will come from the White House or the 2 presidential candidates. Good timing too......Obama having just left the Middle East a few days ago.

The Independent reports:

"Israel has has taken a decisive first step towards reviving a controversial plan for a Jewish settlement in the West Bank which it was forced to withdraw two years ago under pressure from the US.

The military's civil administration has announced plans to go ahead with the construction of at least 20 homes in the Jordan Valley for settlers evacuated from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Peace Now, which campaigns against settlement, believes the move is part of a larger plan which could mean the establishment of about 100 homes in Maskiot, in the Jordan Valley.

The plan, initially approved by the then Defence Minister, Amir Peretz, in 2006, ended up being shelved after a vigorous protest by the US State Department. The US made no immediate comment on the revival of the plan as Palestinian and Israeli negotiators struggle to fulfil George Bush's aspiration of an outline agreement on a two-state solution by the end of the year."

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