Israel to Begin Extending West Bank Barrier

[Scurrilous]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/05/16/international/i042121D15.DTL

<snip>

"Israel plans to start extending its West Bank separation barrier around its largest settlement bloc by the end of May — construction that would in effect expand Jerusalem's boundaries and cut off Palestinians from the city they seek as a future capital, government and security officials said.


The new segment would put the Maaleh Adumim settlement, with more than 30,000 residents, on the "Israeli" side of the barrier. Israel's Cabinet approved the Maaleh Adumim loop in February but didn't announce a date for the start of construction.
Israel wants to begin building the Maaleh Adumim portion before withdrawing from the Gaza Strip this summer, the officials said on condition of anonymity.


The United States and the European Union are expected to ratchet up pressure on Israel to renew peace talks with the Palestinians after the pullout, and completing the barrier around Jerusalem would establish facts on the ground regarding a key issue in peace talks — the fate of the city.


Israeli officials declined to comment publicly on the construction start, also reported in the Maariv daily. A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that "they've reached the point where they are constructing now in that particular area."

[jfw9999]

1. No end in site

If the Israelis continue to construct the apartheid wall into the west bank, usurping land and displacing Palestinian residents; their will be no peace.

The United States is conspicuously silent as the Sharon and Likud Party methodically expand Israeli borders.