The announcement by Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel on Sunday, 5 Elul 5773 of planned construction elicited the standard condemnatory statements from the international community. Ariel announced that 1,200 new housing units were being built with close to 800 of them being in Yerushalayim, areas viewed as “Israeli occupied” by the international community. The announcement came just days ahead of the release of the first terrorists from Israeli prisons as Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) prepare to begin round two of diplomatic talks.

The State Department on Monday criticized Israel for approving new settlements on disputed lands on the eve of resuming long-stalled peace talks.

Spokeswoman Marie Harf said the administration had shared its “serious” concerns with the Israeli government following Sunday’s announcement of almost 1,200 new settlement homes. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are set to resume talks in Jerusalem on Wednesday after a preliminary meeting hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington late last month.

“These announcements do come at a particularly sensitive time, and we have made our serious concerns about this recent announcement known to the government of Israel,” Harf said. “We do not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement activity.”

Harf stopped short of labeling the settlement activity “illegal” or of saying it undermines the peace process, as the European Union has. She also declined to say if the State Department had urged the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to put the construction on hold.

The new construction was announced Sunday by Housing Minister Uri Ariel, The Associated Press reported, while a government spokesman said the new homes are in areas Israel expects to retain in any peace deal.

Palestinian negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh said the settlements could “sabotage” peace talks but did not threaten to leave the negotiating table.

Harf went on to praise Israel for agreeing to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom are accused of attacking Israelis.

“I would point out to you that the Israeli government is also taking a very difficult but necessary step as part of the peace negotiations to release a number of prisoners as well,” she said.

The construction includes 400 apartments in the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo; 183 in Pisgat Ze’ev in the northern capital; 117 in the Shomron city of Ariel; 36 in Betar Illit in Gush Etzion; 149 in Efrat in Gush Etzion; and 92 in the city of Maale Adumim.

The standard messages challenging Israel’s commitment to peace were released by PA leadership and the condemnatory statements were heard on cue from the United States and the European Union. The right-wing parties in the coalition of course responded with their commitment to Zionism and building as any sovereign nation does.

The Israeli left-wing did not disappoint, exclaiming the timing is a clear sign that the coalition is not serious about achieving a comprehensive peace with the PA. This message was echoed by senior coalition partner Finance Minister (Yesh Atid) Yair Lapid as well. Lapid stated the announcement at this time is a “big mistake”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)