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Last update - 07:24 14/11/2008
Barak approved settlement expansion despite Road Map
By Uri Blau, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: settlements, West Bank 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has approved dozens of construction projects in the West Bank in recent months, contradicting Israel's commitments to the Road Map, Haaretz has learned. Barak also approved the marketing of hundreds of housing units in settlements.

Some of the permits for construction projects were granted in settlements to the east of the separation fence, which are beyond the areas the state defines as "settlement blocks" and it expects to retain under Israel's control following a permanent agreement with the Palestinians.

By press time, the Defense Ministry had not responded to Haaretz's query on the matter.
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The Road Map, an American initiative put in place in 2003, calls on Israel to avoid any expansion of settlements, except for construction necessitated by the needs of natural population growth. The construction permits appear to contravene Israel's obligations.

Construction in the settlements is a permanent matter of dispute in talks for a permanent settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and has drawn strong criticism from both the U.S. and the European Union.

At a March press conference with P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the U.S. continues to insist that Israel ceases settlement expansion. Rice stressed that such construction contravenes the Road Map.

In January Barak asked that all construction projects in the West Bank be brought to him for authorization. Data received by Haaretz suggests that since April, Barak has authorized the following construction projects in the West Bank:

* The marketing of at least 400 housing units and plots, of which 315 homes and 32 plots are in Beitar Ilit, 48 homes and 19 plots in Ariel, and 40 housing units and and a commercial center at Efrat.

* The construction of some 60 homes in a neighborhood that is several kilometers away from its mother settlement of Eshkolot, in southern Mount Hebron, but is included in its municipal jurisdiction.

* The registration and publication of construction projects in Ariel, Modi'in Ilit, Ma'aleh Adumim, Mevo Horon, Oranit, Efrat, Givat Ze'ev, Beit El, Neveh Daniel, Alon Shvut, Har Adar, Kochav Ya'akov and Talmon. The two latter settlements are situated to the east of the separation fence.

* Mekorot, the Israeli water company, was given permission to prepare plans in Kiryat Arba, which is also situated east of the fence.

* Authorization to plan "an experimental electricity production farm" in southern Mount Hebron.

* Renewal of authorization for the marketing of 31 homes and commercial properties in Beitar Ilit.

* The planning of a cemetery in the area of Ma'aleh Adumim.

* The allocation of 4.6 dunams (just over one acre) for the development of a nature reserve in the Prat stream in Wadi Kelt, which is east of the fence.

* The allotment of plots for the construction of public buildings in the neighborhood of Matityahu-East in Modi'in Ilit (which has been partially built on lands of the Palestinian village of Bil'in). Similar allotments were made in Elkana, Kfar Oranim, Kedumim and Beit Aryeh.
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  1.   So what the h--- is Barak doing as head of Labor...? 05:51  |  Esther 14/11/08
  2.   the road map has been dead for 8 years !! 06:29  |  v.hardman 14/11/08
  3.   Impose sanctions now! 06:59  |  motti 14/11/08
  4.   Barak approved settlement expansion despite Rd. map 07:05  |  martin list, m.d. 14/11/08
  5.   Compare and contrast..... 07:27  |  Johnboy 14/11/08
  6.   "WE WANT PEACE", quick, build build build 07:28  |  VIPER 14/11/08
  7.   Big Surprise! 07:44  |  Elijah Broomgluck 14/11/08
  8.   Labor does not favor peace and never has 08:12  |  Natallie Durson 14/11/08
  9.   Double standard 08:17  |  Michael Cohen 14/11/08
  10.   We have unquestionable rights on the Land of Israel. 08:37  |  Jean Van Daem 14/11/08
  11.   Continue building 08:49  |  Tomas 14/11/08
  12.   There Will Be MUCH More Building Here In OUR Land 08:55  |  Yishai Kohen 14/11/08
  13.   Annex, or leave. So simple. 09:41  |  Andreas 14/11/08
  14.   As a person who dislikes Israel I already said: 09:43  |  Andreas 14/11/08
  15.   2 states or bust. 09:44  |  James Hovland 14/11/08
  16.   why this expansion? 09:56  |  yosi 14/11/08
  17.   Keep building Yishai 10:00  |  Mike 14/11/08
  18.   Boo Barak 10:16  |  MarkC 14/11/08
  19.   Lies and the sheer unadulterated hypocrisy of the Israeli 10:39  |  Clickfool 14/11/08
  20.   Yishai #8 plucks out of history just what suits him... 10:39  |  Esther 14/11/08
  21.   have your cake and eat it 11:04  |  Refugee 14/11/08
  22.   For Michael #5 11:06  |  Esther 14/11/08
  23.   We won`t be stuck with the Arabs, Mike 11:13  |  Avi 14/11/08
  24.   We won`t be stuck with the Arabs, Mike 11:14  |  Avi 14/11/08
  25.   Any thing for Israel security is legal. 11:20  |  Akram Zekaria 14/11/08
  26.   button for self destruction 11:35  |  peter 14/11/08
  27.   Israel brings it all uopon itself 11:43  |  Mark B. 14/11/08
  28.   To Michael Cohen 11:52  |  John 14/11/08
  29.   Move the fence further east 12:04  |  l 14/11/08
  30.   Mike 12:09  |  lady from USA 14/11/08
  31.   The good old days 12:18  |  lady from USA 14/11/08
  32.   #6 your are right but 12:21  |  David 14/11/08
  33.   Refugee 12:22  |  lady from USA 14/11/08
  34.   Few nations can match the fundamental legitimacy that Israel has. 12:42  |  Mario Sala 14/11/08
  35.   When Pals are ready for compromise+peace Israel will be ready too 13:44  |  Sam 14/11/08
  36.   So don`t agree in the first place 13:44  |  Jason_M 14/11/08
  37.   Screamin` Ehud Barak-Hawkins 15:06  |  Gideon Reader 14/11/08
  38.   #28 Lady from USA YOUI GOT THAT RIGHT!! 15:26  |  Petra 14/11/08
  39.   Left , right israelis , SAME 15:27  |  FalluJah 14/11/08
  40.   Does it make sense... 15:41  |  Jasper 14/11/08
  41.   Those settlers are brave 15:41  |  lady from USA 14/11/08
  42.   "The brits brought in thousands upon thousands of Arabs"? 16:10  |  Lexo 14/11/08
  43.   Barak and Bibi should apply to Yesha Council 17:20  |  Fortuna Benmayor 14/11/08
  44.   The Road Map to War 18:13  |  Yacov 14/11/08
  45.   And another war crime... 18:22  |  John 14/11/08
  46.   old barak;you just keep swaying back and forth;your limited in 18:34  |  glenna 14/11/08
  47.   Carrots 20:13  |  Baz Mann 14/11/08
  48.   The Road Map to War 20:37  |  Bennie 14/11/08
  49.   He owes an apology to those he called "cancer" 20:47  |  Alicia 14/11/08
  50.   Why is it ok for Israel 21:07  |  Dave Duncan 14/11/08
  51.   Not a contradiction, just part of the overall plan 21:52  |  Jeffrey 14/11/08
  52.   Israel governed by the military junta. 22:02  |  Maureen Ann 14/11/08
  53.   What kind of fool thinks Oslo in`t finished? 22:35  |  Bob 14/11/08
  54.   Sala 28 22:40  |  Antonio 14/11/08
  55.   28 22:42  |  Antonio 14/11/08
  56.   antonio in clagary hasnt heard of the ottoman empire in which no 23:27  |  victor hardman 14/11/08
  57.   It`s the Election Time Follies 23:30  |  Mark Lincoln 14/11/08
  58.   He owes an apology to those he called "cancer" 23:34  |  Mark Lincoln 14/11/08
  59.   #1 Esther. Road Map is irrelevant. Most likely Labour is also. 00:05  |  Chaim 15/11/08
  60.   Lady from USA 00:45  |  kiwi girl 15/11/08
  61.   Mario Sula 00:50  |  kiwi girl 15/11/08
  62.   This is a disgrace. Totally unacceptable. 01:04  |  Stephen. 15/11/08
  63.   NO to road map to Hell 03:40  |  Brod 15/11/08
  64.   The Roads of 19th century Palestine 08:47  |  Steve 15/11/08
  65.   Thomson`s description of Jericho in the 19th century 08:51  |  Steve 15/11/08
  66.   Thomson`s description of Halhul in the 19th century 08:59  |  Steve 15/11/08
  67.   Thomson explains why Palestine was deserted in the 19th century 09:07  |  Steve 15/11/08
  68.   So, we deceive peace? 12:24  |  ana 15/11/08
  69.   Israel`s ministers and top brass are all liars and cheats 12:34  |  Chanalau, Tova 15/11/08
  70.   #2 Paul Harris aka V Hardman 14:08  |  Labhras 15/11/08
  71.   Quick, Someone tell Zeroman 14:55  |  Gideon Reader 15/11/08
  72.   more builds less peace 14:58  |  Claudius 15/11/08
  73.   Chaim #59 16:19  |  Esther 15/11/08
  74.   Of course he did 17:18  |  t. A. Sheppard 15/11/08
  75.   #70 the simpleton labarse of arabia should learn 19:00  |  victor hardman 15/11/08
  76.   Arabs are building in Israel - so what 19:08  |  Dr Eric 15/11/08
  77.   Barak and the Settlements 20:22  |  Michael 15/11/08
  78.   #34 MARIO SALA 22:07  |  Courcey 15/11/08
  79.   clickfool and all who condemn construction 22:21  |  strange 15/11/08
  80.   steve..i will read his book..thanks 22:46  |  strange 15/11/08
  81.   #70 labarse of arabia also known as the irish ijjjit 23:17  |  victor hardman 15/11/08
  82.   above report 23:18  |  e. sherman 15/11/08
  83.   above report 23:24  |  Esther Sherman 15/11/08
  84.   Well, Dr. #74 23:41  |  Esther 15/11/08
  85.   #40 Jasper doesn`t make sense 00:42  |  Johnboy 16/11/08
  86.   Lexo - no question 01:51  |  Mark Lincoln 16/11/08
  87.   Boycot this outlaw state and its officals 02:05  |  Dutch 16/11/08
  88.   ROAD MAP 02:12  |  JoJo 16/11/08
  89.   Settlement Expansion-As legal as law 02:18  |  Nat Weinstein 16/11/08
  90.   Jo Jo - what part? 03:13  |  Mark Lincoln 16/11/08
  91.   dutch..clever as always 03:22  |  strange 16/11/08
  92.   #87 Dutch. You are truly delusional. 08:48  |  Chaim 16/11/08
  93.   #2 Hardman 12:28  |  alan 16/11/08
  94.   Courcey 16:33  |  lady from USA 16/11/08
  95.   Claudius 16:37  |  lady from USA 16/11/08
  96.   Mike 17:30  |  lady from USA 16/11/08
  97.   Allowing to build suchin military occupied territory = warcrime 17:43  |  John 16/11/08
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