Israel Settlements: Ariel Receives 277 New Apartments

JERUSALEM — Israel has approved the building of 277 apartments in the Jewish settlement deepest inside the West Bank, defying international criticism of continued construction on land the Palestinians claim for a state.

The planned construction in Ariel – the core of the settlement bloc farthest inside the West Bank – is the third project on disputed lands to be advanced in the past week.

In Washington, the State Department called the new Israeli building "deeply troubling."

"These kinds of actions are counterproductive to the resumption of direct negotiations" between the Israelis and Palestinians, said spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib called the recent building announcements an "escalation" and called on the international community to pressure Israel harder.

"The policies of every single country in the world (are) that settlement expansion is illegal and an obstacle to peace," Khatib said. "Israel is not taking this seriously. I think these countries have to introduce elements of accountability to their relations with Israel."

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to comment.

Palestinians oppose Israeli construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem – lands they want for the core of a future independent state – and have suspended talks with Israel as a result. Instead, they plan to go to the United Nations next month to seek its unilateral endorsement of their state.

The latest construction approval could further complicate American attempts to persuade the Palestinians to give up their U.N. bid and enter negotiations with Israel instead.

Israel has recently moved ahead on plans to build more than 2,500 new apartments in disputed east Jerusalem, and Israeli officials say 2,700 more will be approved soon.

The U.S. has been critical of those plans. All three projects could take years to build.

___

Associated Press writer Matt Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[Brewerstroupe]

03:22 AM on 08/17/2011

"In a June 2009 speech, under pressure from the Obama administration, Netanyahu declared his acceptance of a two-state solution. It was a patently insincere speech, for he uttered not the slightest reproach when senior members of his own Likud Party and ministers in his government announced the formation of a thirty-nine-member Land of Israel Caucus, the largest caucus in the Knesset...... Haaretz reported at the time that the only two Likud ministers in his government who did not support the caucus were Dan Meridor and Netanyahu himself. .....

The official goal of the caucus is to strengthen “Israel’s grasp on the entire Land of Israel.” If that’s not clear enough, Begin helpfully elaborated: “The establishment of a foreign independent sovereign state headed by the PLO in parts of the Land of Israel stands in opposition to two basic ideas that are both supported by a majority of the Knesset: the absolute historic right of the Nation of Israel to the Land of Israel and the right of the State of Israel to national security.”
http://www.usmep.us/usmep/2011/06/09/can-obama-beat-the-israel-lobby/

[JacksonJones]

03:02 PM on 08/17/2011

So...nothing on topic, then? Just speculation about Netanyahu's public statement of support for the 2 state solution 2 years ago?

Sounds like you agree that there is not really much in this article to complain about.

[Nwo2012]

04:11 PM on 08/17/2011

Wow you're dense.

[Brewerstroupe]

10:18 PM on 08/17/2011

A head placed firmly in the sand is bound to miss the relevance of the Knesset's blatant intent to annex the entire West Bank - on a thread about illegal settlements.
If the point were simply Netanyahu's blatant duplicity, I would agree on two counts. Not only irrelevant but stating the obvious.

[JacksonJones]

07:28 PM on 08/16/2011

It seems passing strange that the "pro-Palestinians" can't seem to explain how adding less than 300 apartments with a city of 250,000 residents, which won't extend the footprint of the already settled area, is an appropriation of anything.

This article seems to simply be yet another forum for them to rail against the state of Israel and decry the fact that it was ever established.

Don't like Israel? Tough luck, folks.

Cheers

[Sonic hedgehog]

08:57 PM on 08/16/2011

What's the 250000 number coming from? The illegal city of Ariel has about 17000 people.

[JacksonJones]

11:22 PM on 08/16/2011

You are correct that I was off by a decimal point, should be more careful transposing numbers. However the correct figure is about 25,000, not 17,000. Nevertheless, the point stands.

[Garioch]

09:58 PM on 08/16/2011

Every expansion of course leads to the use of further resources which are appropriated unequally in favour of the colonisers and to the detriment of the indigenous population. Every increase in population will lead to a cumulative effect that requires sooner or later further land to be appropriated for security, transport etc to the detriment of the indigenous population. Every settlement expansion makes any future peace deal more unlikely.
I'm fine with Israel, the article is not about Israel, I don't like some of the Israeli States policies but its not even about that, its about Israel expanding again into someone else's territory and home.
Why you like it is the question that should be asked.

[JacksonJones]

11:20 PM on 08/16/2011

You keep saying things like "exapnsion," but you can't seem to explain how this would be an expansion.

[Rianna]

05:05 PM on 08/16/2011

It seems Israel, through her "generosity" is making it easier for the Palestinians to get their state hood. Actions speak louder than words, and Israel is making the world even more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, by arrogantly announcing more illegal settlements. Now the mid east quartet is making their disapproval known.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/mideast-quartet-greatly-concerned-by-israel-s-recent-settlement-plans-1.378948

[MelissaGoldman]

09:18 PM on 08/16/2011

sounds like words from the quartet...didn't you just say actions speak louder than words??

[Rianna]

10:20 PM on 08/16/2011

Ah but they have some clout when it comes to the Palestinian statehood! So watch out for some action too in September.

[Taxim]

01:23 PM on 08/16/2011

ARIEL, West Bank — When a group of Israeli artists recently refused to perform in the new theater at this large Jewish settlement, local residents reacted with a mixture of hurt and defiance.
Related

When scores of leftist Israeli academics, prominent writers and intellectuals said that they would not lecture at the Ariel University Center or in any other settlement, many here said that nobody had asked them to come.

But the protest broadened again this week when an American advocacy group, Jewish Voice for Peace, said that more than 150 international film and theater professionals, including Julianne Moore, Theodore Bikel, Vanessa Redgrave and Tony Kushner, had endorsed its statement in support of Israeli artists against performing in the settlements, which are viewed by much of the world as a violation of international law.

In January, to mark Jewish Arbor Day, Israel’s conservative-leaning prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, planted a sapling in Ariel. He declared it the “capital of Samaria” and an integral part of Israel. But Oren Ben Uziyahu, the owner of a toy store in Ariel, said that in return for genuine peace, most people would “leave behind their fake leather couches” and give up their Ariel homes. “It is reasonable to assume,” he continued, “that in the end, Ariel will have to go.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/world/middleeast/10ariel.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1313514804-nTOT8xNSdSo7hCQFw8W15g

[JacksonJones]

07:26 PM on 08/16/2011

Yes, Israel has a vibrant democracy. Now try taking an independent stand in Gaza....Hamas will only lock you up if you're lucky.

[Garioch]

10:00 PM on 08/16/2011

Vibrant democracies frequently make horrendous decisions that have horrific consequences for other people. You don't let them off with that because some other State doesn't have a vibrant democracy, you castigate them for it.

[puffadder]

01:15 PM on 08/16/2011

Israel is quickly becoming isolated for the pariah that it is! Nothing more need be said!

[Nwo2012]

03:13 PM on 08/16/2011

Indeed.

[Ouaouaron]

03:19 PM on 08/16/2011

I am so proud of geographically small Israel having the courage to provide housing for their citizens in the face of hateful attacks.

[Nwo2012]

05:36 PM on 08/16/2011

The occupation and settlement of land not belonging to israel is the cause of attacks on israel.

Good work Einsteins.

[Johnny Bomers]

03:21 PM on 08/17/2011

The hateful attacks would stop if Israel build on its own land. Besides there is nothing courageous in building housing. This latest move is to appease the protesters in Israel.

[MelissaGoldman]

12:40 PM on 08/16/2011

Just look at that picture--Ariel is a sprawling city. Anyone who thinks Israel will dismantle it or abandon it must be smoking something really strong and heavy....

[Taxim]

01:31 PM on 08/16/2011

The West Bank suffers from acute shortages of water, housing, jobs and healthcare. Palestinian children are separated from their parents, denied access to hospitals and stoned and beaten by Jewish settlers. Human rights sanctioned by international law, including the right to health, the prohibition on transferring populations into occupied territories and equal treatment before the law are routinely violated.

David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, once said that Israel will be judged by how it treats the Arabs. This is a moral test Israel now resoundingly fails—a failure that threatens to undermine all of its accomplishments and, as is increasingly clear, its future.

http://www.thenation.com/article/162756/apartheid-steroids

[MelissaGoldman]

01:59 PM on 08/16/2011

well, Ben-Gurion was wrong--Israel is judged by what it has offered the world, which is quite a lot so all's well and good.
As for the problems pals allegedly have, well, I see it this way--when I moved to Miami, I was constantly approached by Spanish speakers because my middle eastern looks lead to my constantly being mistaken for a Cuban. I didn't speak Spanish but I clearly saw that if I wanted to stay in Miami and have some peace on a daily basis, I'd have to learn Spanish.
Today my Spanish is excellent, almost on par with native speakers. Some of my fellow non Hispanics transplants to Miami have since moved, though, because they didn't want to learn Spanish. One could argue that none of us should have to since technically, the Spanish speakers came here long after the English speakers but the bottom line is that the circumstances are what they are and we either adapt to them or we move on to friendlier pastures.
If arabs don't like the situation in Israel or Judea or Samaria, no one is begging them to stay. They can either figuratively learn Spanish or they can move out of Miami, so to speak....

[Garioch]

01:33 PM on 08/16/2011

Quite right, they should just leave it there and then either the residents can vote in the Palestinian elections or they can move and some of the local people can move in when they go.

[squiems]

11:36 AM on 08/16/2011

Wow, building apartments inside an existing settlement? How is this news. These apartments are being built within the municipal limits of the settlement, and do not affect any land that is not already a part of the settlement. No palestinians are affected whatsoever, except those who get jobs as laborers or contractors.

[Relpo Miraculous]

11:15 AM on 08/16/2011

Not enough units. Israel should build 27,000 of them, and that's jacks for openers.
Jews should also resettle Gaza and buy everyone there out. Jordan is waiting for Gaza Arabs with open arms. See ya later, Arab Aparteidians.

[Nwo2012]

12:29 PM on 08/16/2011

Gaza isn't for sale, (no israeli could afford it, ever) and ethnically cleansing it for the benefit of israelis and their racist, sectarian supporters wont solve a single one of israels problems

[mommamia526]

02:40 PM on 08/16/2011

Gaza, now, is not for political freedom, as Abu Yazan has discovered. His breakout group, calling for political freedom uses, a.o., facebook. Helas, Abu Yazan has been arrested by Hamas. No political freedom in Gaza!

Oh, and when, oh, when will Palestinians finally be able to vote? Never?

Israelis have nothing to do with all that. Hamas is in charge in Gaza. If Palestinian Arabs in Gaza opt for their share of the Arab spring - my, it is now almost fall -hey may expect the same treatment, from Hamas, as the people in Syria receive there.

[Rianna]

10:55 AM on 08/16/2011

Israel seems to be doing a great job making itself look bad in the world. It does not need any other country to do that. Policy after policy makes them look like Israel is it's own worst enemy.
Can Israel be picking on little kids (belonging to goyims of course) now?

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/for-first-time-foreign-worker-s-child-born-and-educated-in-israel-to-be-deported-1.378929#article_comments

[anton123]

11:57 AM on 08/16/2011

And other countries make only good policies?

[Rianna]

09:57 AM on 08/17/2011

I am sure they do, but then they are not guilty of holding their neighbors under oppression for the past 44 years, stealing lands like they are entitled to it (and condemned by the rest of the world), controlling their water, destroying their olive groves, bulldozing their homes, and keep them contained in camps, now do they? israel holds the top position as an oppressor while being a supposed "democratic" country. Most definitely their worst enemy.

[LIbislife]

12:45 PM on 08/16/2011

Israel only looks bad to those thatwould never see it in a good light

[puffadder]

01:17 PM on 08/16/2011

....And what phony light are you viewing Israel in??

[Rianna]

01:20 PM on 08/16/2011

Israel looks good to only those who support their bad policies.
When the rest of the world can see the bad, it is time for the supporters to start questioning those policies, that are always condemned.

[Seawolf56]

10:40 AM on 08/16/2011

defying international criticism of continued construction on land the Palestinians claim for a state.

Vote for Ron Paul and cut off all aid to Israel!! Time to say enough to theft and murder!

[Ouaouaron]

11:19 AM on 08/16/2011

I did not know that some Ron Paul supporters hated Israel, takes all kinds...

[Seawolf56]

12:16 PM on 08/16/2011

what is hated??? Well typical of you anyone that disagrees with Israel its not hated it's disagrees....

[Ouaouaron]

10:20 AM on 08/16/2011

Great photo, Ariel is a beautiful community.

[nomoredead]

08:33 AM on 08/16/2011

http://www.thenation.com/article/162756/apartheid-steroids

A good read.......

[gast1kc]

10:06 AM on 08/16/2011

very very good indeed.made my day,gives hope

[anton123]

11:59 AM on 08/16/2011

Got you daily dose of anti-Israelism? A? :-)

[anton123]

12:01 PM on 08/16/2011

From the same article you posted:
"The Hamas positions, in fact, resemble the PLO stance prior to the Oslo Accords. The Fatah/Hamas equation is difficult to gauge, but you can’t resolve the matter without talking and without preconditions. Like the PLO, Hamas appears violent and incorrigible. But Israel should remember the expression: “You don’t make peace with your friends.”

[mommamia526]

02:52 PM on 08/16/2011

Hamas might first try to make friends with the Palestinians in Gaza. Some of those are calling for political freedom, but Hamas will have none of that. Better be quiet if you live in Gaza. No voting. No political opinions. no sympathizing with freedom fighters elsewhere either.

[Kelly Cloud]

08:32 AM on 08/16/2011

Aren't they just taking swipes at the wasps nest? Putting the world in danger, how selfish!!! I think we should stop supporting them. We can't afford to protect them anymore.

[Ouaouaron]

09:49 AM on 08/16/2011

Ah yes, everything bad in the world is because Israel houses.

[Johnny Bomers]

03:48 PM on 08/17/2011

Nonsense. If you believe that the subject is just housing you must have been sleeping for the last sixty years.

[BcemXAHA]

09:57 AM on 08/16/2011

Well technically we're not "supporting" nor "protecting" *them.*

If you understood how aid works you wouldn't make posts that make you sound so ill informed.

[Ouaouaron]

10:03 AM on 08/16/2011

So, true Israel takes care of itself

[Rianna]

08:16 AM on 08/16/2011

Again I notice our wimpy media has not mentioned a word about Senator Patrick Leahy seeking to cut aid to the IDF who are committing human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza.
The rest of the world seems to be buzzing about it, when you google it. Our US media is afraid to touch it. They must be afraid of getting "that telephone call", so prefer to avoid it like the plague.
We should stop calling ourselves the land of the free. The congress and media are not free of alien influence, in fact it controls both entities.

[ca va pas non]

06:58 AM on 08/16/2011

Where are all the regular hasbara posters ? Is it a holiday of some sort ? I need laughing material.

[BcemXAHA]

09:57 AM on 08/16/2011

They're busy laughing at your posts!

[ca va pas non]

10:47 AM on 08/16/2011

But I need something to laugh at ... please post nonsense, especially you.

[Garioch]

10:57 AM on 08/16/2011

You are the one who thought that Ariel was part of Jerusalem and you think that people will be laughing at his posts rather than yours?

[Rallis]

11:26 AM on 08/16/2011

f&f

the most hilarious material will be posted September with UN recognition of a Palestinian state

[DimaGio]

05:06 PM on 09/20/2011

Even funnier when US cuts off the 500 million dollars it sends to PLO every year and Israel annexes all its settlements.