Protests against Israeli building freeze_2367

[ww10ui2n]

Netanyahu had earlier sought to convince settlers that building would resume its normal pace following the 10-month moratorium, which was announced after Washington stepped up pressure for a construction freeze.
The settlement issue has been one of the thorniest in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
The Palestinians say the decision fell far short of the total freeze they are seeking as it allows for construction of public buildings or house construction where permits have already been issued, and excludes annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
Settlers and right-wing politicians expressed outrage that the government should limit Jewish construction on what they consider the biblical Land of Israel.
But this did little to reassure settlers.
Protests against Israeli building freeze
Late last month,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 10-month moratorium on new permits for house construction in West Bank settlements.
The Palestinians insist they will not return to the negotiating table unless there is a complete freeze on Jewish construction in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem.
"I very much doubt that construction will start again,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login," said Pinhas Wallerstein,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, another settler leader, adding that "the simple fact of deciding on a freeze will have negative consequences for the future."
"Judaea and Samaria must continue to build,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login," one banner read, using the biblical term for the West Bank.
Negotiations which resumed in 2007 after a seven year hiatus came to a standstill again when Israel launched a military offensive against Gaza late last year.
Another urged the government to "end the freeze" in settlement construction.
Thousands of demonstrators rallied outside the Israeli prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday to protest a 10-month moratorium on new building permits for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"Reverse your decision,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login," settler leader Girshon Mesika said pointing to the premier's residence and drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
Several of the more right-wing MPs from Netanyahu's Likud party were among the speakers slated to address the crowd.
Western governments generally welcomed the move as a step in the right direction but, for opposite reasons, Palestinians and settlers both rejected it.