Settlement Activity Ongoing Despite Israeli Claims
2. State Department Responds to CMEP Letter on Iraqi Christians
3. CMEP Staff Transition

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1. Settlement Activity Ongoing Despite Israeli Claims

This week Prime Minister Netanyahu and Middle East Envoy Mitchell met in London to see if they could undo the log jam in the peace process by coming to an agreement about what the nature of a "settlement freeze" would look like. In order to create the right context for the two parties to resume meaningful negotiations, President Obama has asked Israel to stop all settlement activity and for Palestinians to take measures to prevent terror and stop incitement to violence.

Reports following the four hour long meeting between Netanyahu and Mitchell indicate that they were unsuccessful in reaching a settlement deal. Talks are scheduled to continue next week in Washington to further discuss the U.S demand that Israel implement a settlement freeze. While the U.S. and Israel try to reach an agreement on settlements to revive the peace process, realities on the ground contradict Prime Minister Netanyahu's assertion that Israel is taking serious and meaningful actions to advance the peace process.

In a recent Haaretz article Netanyahu stated, "We are making headway. My government has taken steps both in words and deeds to move forward." While Israel has in fact taken steps to ease conditions in the West Bank by dismantling some roadblocks and easing restrictions at a few check points, these actions are not a substitute for stopping settlement activity. In fact, according to a new report by Peace Now, settlement activity is ongoing. The report says, "Some of the new construction seen in the last months…is construction based on old plans that were approved years ago. This is meant to bypass the 'settlement freeze,' without needing to approve a new plan that must receive the defense minister's approval."

Settlement construction also continues in sensitive East Jerusalem. This week plans for building the "largest Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem" were unveiled. The plan for the building of the new settlement was filed for approval at the Jerusalem Municipality and will include 104 housing units and will be connected to an existing Jewish neighborhood. A Haaretz article describing the plans noted, "When the two neighborhoods are completed and linked, a Jewish settlement of more than 1,000 people will be situated in the heart of Ras al-Amud, a neighborhood comprised of 14,000 Palestinians."

Ir Amim, an Israeli organization founded to promote an equitable and stable Jerusalem, has called the new settlement plan a "blatant provocation" and "dangerous" because it "damages the chances for a future agreement." For now, the jury is still out on settlements and everyone will have to wait to see if in the coming weeks the Obama Administration will announce a settlement deal with the Israelis that will revive the peace process and get it moving forward toward a comprehensive peace agreement.

Background Reading:

"Report: Jewish stronghold to be built in Arab neighborhood," Ynet News, August 23, 2009
"Plans for largest East Jerusalem settlement filed for approval," Nir Hasson, Haaretz, August 25, 2009
"Netanyahu, Mitchell fail to reach deal on settlements," Barak Ravid, Haaretz, August 26, 2009