"Israeli" settlement expansion and roadblock increases unjustified
Source: Compiled by Hizbollah.tv (Haaretz/Antiwar), 24-05-2008
The United Nations said in a report Friday that the number of 'Israeli' obstacles in the West Bank has increased by 7 percent since last September, despite an 'Israeli' pledge to ease Palestinian movement in the area as part of fledgling peace talks.
The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in 'Jerusalem' (al-Quds) said the overall number of obstacles increased from 566 on September 4, 2007 to 607 on April 29, 2008. The shift included the construction of 144 new closures and the removal of 103 in the same time period.
The UN agency, OCHA, added that the army removed an additional seven closure obstacles so far in May. It said its findings amounted to a slight deterioration in overall access in the reported period.
The report came out shortly after visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner criticized 'Israel's' network of roadblocks and checkpoints, which are seen as a key impediment to the recovery of the Palestinian economy.
"The restrictions on access and mobility are still significant," Kouchner said at a Palestinian investment conference in Bethlehem. "They have not yet been alleviated as they should have.
Kouchner criticized the ongoing 'Israeli' settlement construction, and added that 'Israel' can do more to lift restrictions on Palestinian movement.
"Nothing justifies the settlement expansion which constitutes an impediment to peace, as well as an obstacle obstructing the development of the Palestinian economy," Kouchner told delegates at the closing session of a Palestinian investors' conference in Bethlehem.
'Israel' should and 'Israel' can exert more efforts in this regard without endangering its security."
'Israel' claims it cannot move faster in easing restrictions because Palestinian militants still pose a threat.
Government spokesman Mark Regev claimed settlement construction continues only in Jewish (Zionist) sectors of East 'Jerusalem' (al-Quds), which 'Israel' does not consider settlements, and inside large West Bank settlement blocs that 'Israel' intends to retain in any final peace accord.
"There is this good atmosphere ... in Lebanon, as well as with Syria and also in Gaza," Kouchner said, adding that he believed he had seen goodwill among 'Israeli' and Palestinian negotiators.
Livni told Kouchner during their talks earlier Thursday that world governments must shun Hamas, adding that the foiled suicide bombing at a Gaza crossing that day showed that the Islamist movement was not interested in improving the plight of Palestinians.
Kouchner said in a radio interview Monday that France had been in touch with Hamas over several months, but the contacts did not amount to relations or negotiations. He did not detail the substance of those contacts with Hamas, which rejects 'Israel's' existence.
'Israel', the United States and the international community have listed Hamas as a (so-called) 'terrorist' organization, and Washington delivered a swift rebuke after Kouchner's revelation, with the State Department saying the contacts were not wise or appropriate.
The United Nations said in a report Friday that the number of 'Israeli' obstacles in the West Bank has increased by 7 percent since last September, despite an 'Israeli' pledge to ease Palestinian movement in the area as part of fledgling peace talks.
The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in 'Jerusalem' (al-Quds) said the overall number of obstacles increased from 566 on September 4, 2007 to 607 on April 29, 2008. The shift included the construction of 144 new closures and the removal of 103 in the same time period.
The UN agency, OCHA, added that the army removed an additional seven closure obstacles so far in May. It said its findings amounted to a slight deterioration in overall access in the reported period.
The report came out shortly after visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner criticized 'Israel's' network of roadblocks and checkpoints, which are seen as a key impediment to the recovery of the Palestinian economy.
"The restrictions on access and mobility are still significant," Kouchner said at a Palestinian investment conference in Bethlehem. "They have not yet been alleviated as they should have.
Kouchner criticized the ongoing 'Israeli' settlement construction, and added that 'Israel' can do more to lift restrictions on Palestinian movement.
"Nothing justifies the settlement expansion which constitutes an impediment to peace, as well as an obstacle obstructing the development of the Palestinian economy," Kouchner told delegates at the closing session of a Palestinian investors' conference in Bethlehem.
'Israel' should and 'Israel' can exert more efforts in this regard without endangering its security."
'Israel' claims it cannot move faster in easing restrictions because Palestinian militants still pose a threat.
Government spokesman Mark Regev claimed settlement construction continues only in Jewish (Zionist) sectors of East 'Jerusalem' (al-Quds), which 'Israel' does not consider settlements, and inside large West Bank settlement blocs that 'Israel' intends to retain in any final peace accord.
"There is this good atmosphere ... in Lebanon, as well as with Syria and also in Gaza," Kouchner said, adding that he believed he had seen goodwill among 'Israeli' and Palestinian negotiators.
Livni told Kouchner during their talks earlier Thursday that world governments must shun Hamas, adding that the foiled suicide bombing at a Gaza crossing that day showed that the Islamist movement was not interested in improving the plight of Palestinians.
Kouchner said in a radio interview Monday that France had been in touch with Hamas over several months, but the contacts did not amount to relations or negotiations. He did not detail the substance of those contacts with Hamas, which rejects 'Israel's' existence.
'Israel', the United States and the international community have listed Hamas as a (so-called) 'terrorist' organization, and Washington delivered a swift rebuke after Kouchner's revelation, with the State Department saying the contacts were not wise or appropriate.
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