US criticises Israel over settlements
Washington says the move will distance Israel from even its ‘closest allies’
A meeting between US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binjamin Netanyahu in Washington was overshadowed by harsh criticism of Israel’s latest settlement plans.
The proposed construction of 2,610 homes in the Givat Hamatos area was disclosed by the activist group, Peace Now.
It is the first Israeli settlement to be built in the occupied east Jerusalem since 1997. Once it’s built,it will completely cut off Palestinian neighbourhoods in the south east of Jerusalem, from the rest of the West Bank.
Israel’s construction of settlements in territories it has occupied since 1967 has been one of the main obstacles to peace talks. That includes the latest US-brokered negotiations, which collapsed in April. Palestinians say those lands should be part of their future state.
But what can the US do? And how much of a problem are these settlements for a future Palestinian state?
Presenter: Sami Zeidan
Guests:
Dani Dayan – Chief Foreign Envoy to the Yesha Council Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria.
Hagit Ofran – Director of Settlement Watch for Peace Now.
Thomas Pickering – Former US Ambassador to Israel and the UN.