Israel has given final approval to building 272 new apartments in two isolated West Bank settlements, officials confirmed today, just as US Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up his latest mediating mission to the region.
Kerry returned to Washington today, after several days of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in hopes of forging the outlines of a peace deal. Kerry reported progress, but gaps remain.
Maj Guy Inbar, an Israeli defense official, said the initial approval for new building in the settlements of Ofra and Karnei Shomron was given several months ago, suggesting yesterday's publication of the plans for validation, a last step, was a formality.
However, the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now said promoting any settlement plans is a show of bad faith, particularly at a time when Kerry is intensifying his efforts.
The government has the option of suspending settlement plans, but instead chooses to promote them, Peace Now spokesman Lior Amihai said.
"A government that is seeking a two-state solution would not further entrench the conflict by building in the settlements, and especially in settlements that have no chance to remain under Israeli sovereignty," Peace Now said in a statement.
Under the latest plans, 250 apartments were approved for Ofra, in the heart of the West Bank. Of those, 53 have already been built, without permits, and were given retroactive approval, Peace Now said. Another 22 apartments were approved for the Karnei Shomron settlement, the group said.
Israel has refused to suspend settlement building for the duration of the current round of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that began in late July under intense US pressure.
More than 550,000 Israelis already live in dozens of settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, lands the Palestinians want, along with the Gaza Strip, for a future state. Israel captured the three territories in the 1967 Mideast war, and withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but continues to control access to it.
In recent weeks, Kerry has stepped up involvement in the negotiations, shuttling between Abbas and Netanyahu to narrow considerable gaps between them on the outlines of a peace deal.
The Palestinians have serious reservations about some of Kerry's ideas, particularly on the future of Jerusalem, a Palestinian official said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of Kerry's demand for discretion.
