Israel to expand major West Bank settlement

[dArKeR]

By Mark Heinrich

Jerusalem - Israel has approved 600 new housing units for the West Bank's biggest Jewish settlement despite an understanding with Washington not to expand enclaves on occupied land, political sources said on Monday.

But no building tenders have been published since the decision two months ago and security sources said the United States, Israel's main ally and key mediator in its conflict with Palestinians, would be consulted before construction began.

The plan would add homes to Maale Adumim, a sprawling, suburban-style settlement with 30 000 people. Located a few kilometres east of Jerusalem, it straddles the mid-section of territory that Palestinians seek for a viable independent state.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1091462041432B253

[wtmusic]

1. The US will be "consulted"

why bother? Another vacant formality

[Matilda]

2. Hey, Georgie-boy, this okay with you?

Sure, Ari, whatever makes you happy. You're a man of peace, after
all.