Jewish settlers 'threaten peace talks'

Updated 17.18 Sun Mar 09 2008

Keywords: Israel, Palestine

Israel has announced plans to build hundreds of homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

The 750-home scheme in Givat Ze'ev near Jerusalem was announced three days after a Palestinian gunman killed eight students at a Jewish seminary associated with the settler movement.

The 750-home scheme in Givat Ze'ev near Jerusalem was announced three days after a Palestinian gunman killed eight students at a Jewish seminary associated with the settler movement

Palestinians have denounced the news as a blow to the US-brokered peace talks that stalled when Israel sent troops into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had announced a freeze on new settlements in a concession to the Palestinians.

But the ultra-orthodox Shas party, a key partner in Mr Olmert's coalition, reportedly pressured the Prime Minister into approving the Givat Ze'ev plan.

The Israeli government has said the settlement was approved before the shooting because Givat Ze'ev will stay part of Israel no matter what happens in the peace talks.

Palestinians broke off talks with Israel in December after it announced plans to build hundreds of homes on another site near Jerusalem.

The negotiations were suspended again by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas last week after an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip killed more than 120 people, half of them civilians.

But Mr Abbas agreed to resume talks later this week after a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.