Israel ignores Bush's 'urging'. Grabs more land.

They probably knew Bush was only speaking for the cameras anyway

Israel announced plans today to build 22 more homes in its largest West Bank settlement. This comes a mere week after Bush urged the Jewish state to stop expanding Jewish enclaves on occupied land.

The Israel Lands Administration, a government agency, published a tender inviting bids for the purchase of 22 plots for the construction of single-family homes in the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem.

The Israeli settlement watchdog group Peace Now criticised the new building plan in Maale Adumim, a sprawling suburban settlement of 30,000 people.

"The Israeli government continues not to fulfil its obligations under the road map, namely to completely freeze settlement activity," a Peace Now spokesperson said.

"Sharon is asking the Palestinians to carry out their part of the road map," he said, referring to a crackdown on armed militant groups. "If we want to see progress, both sides should (carry out their commitments)."
posted by Manchild at 10:30 PM