A hugely controversial set of settlement expansion plans, mostly in the Ramat Shlomo settlement in occupied East Jerusalem, was announced today by the Israeli government, reviving a plan which was frozen back in 2012 under heavy international pressure.
The Ramat Shlomo plan was for 436 settlement housing units as part of a 660 unit plan back in 2010. This segment was frozen in 2012 amid harsh criticism from US and EU officials. Today’s announcement unfreezes these, and adds 18 m,ore units in Ramot.
Though the prime minister’s office didn’t offer any details on the reasoning, it is widely believed today’s move is “retaliation” for the European Union’s decision to label Israeli products differently if they come out of settlements in the occupied territories.
The settlements are considered illegal under international law, and that includes the ones in East Jerusalem, despite Israel’s attempted annexation of the region after its occupation. Though Israeli officials insist the settlements in East Jerusalem aren’t really settlements because of the annexation, they are still treated as such for foreign policy sake, and are still frozen as concessions and unfrozen out of spite.
"….The settlements are considered illegal under international law,…."
no jason, they ARE illegal. why pretend there is some argument otherwise?
True. Personally, I don't even favor giving them the legitimacy of calling them "settlements," as if the land was "unsettled" before its confiscation. I call them "squats."
I remember Condoleezza Rice's description of them as "unhelpful".
International law is never important to Israel (or the USA).
Israel described the true comments of Swedish FM as hostile and imprudent. No criticism is allowed.
And the over $30,000 US per Israeli welfare and backing of Israeli credit loans from foreign nations( loans they only borrow more from US to pay interest) all those Billions will go to steal land and build some Jews new homes.
The Israeli government is at present asking for an increase of up to $65 billion over US present cash and military equipment.
US PAID FOR BUT SPECIALIZED ISRAELI CONTROLS WHILE THE HAVE ONE OF WORLDS LARGEST MILITARY EXPORT.
Germany too his day still snds guilt money, not loans and builds at cost to German people Israeli nuke powered missle packing subs.
France and Netherlands send their huilt money and extend favorable price controls upon Israeli goods against those of own peoples.
Israel has repeatedly bombed Syrian targets including Syias Northrrn most nuke plant.
Syria and Russia dare notcontest gor fear of Israel mini nukes already to fire.