http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/01/201012417289707969.html
Speaking from a West Bank settlement during a tree planting ceremony this past week, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his nation’s claim to settlements in the Palestinian West Bank. Stating that the Israeli message was “clear: we are planting here, we will stay here, we will build here, this place will be an inseparable part of the state of Israel forever,” Netanyahu has again verbalized the single most pressing roadblock to comprehensive Middle East peace: Settlement zoning. While “interested” in proposals put forth by George Mitchell, US envoy to the region, and others, regarding peace strategies, Netanyahu deffered to Palestinian authorities to initiate. Saying he was ”ready’ for comprehensive peace agreements, the Prime Minister decisively placed the ball in the Palestinian court. ”Certainly if the Palestinians express a similar readiness, then we will find ourselves in a diplomatic process.”
According to Al-Jazeera, “Palestinians want to create an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem with full control of its own borders.” Netanyahu’s stated insistence upon a continued Israeli presence, both in the form of military checkpoints and settlements, does not help to appease Palestinian concerns that Israel will not work to help a sovereign Palestine emerge. While the Prime Minister has publicly called for a “limited and temporary halt” to new settlement construction, Palestinians have characterized the action as not being forceful enough to affect real change. Palestinian authorities have halted peace talks until they receive assurance that Israel will cease building settlements.
While Israeli settlements are surely unpopular in Palestinian territory, it is clear they have become an economic presence there. Palestinian workers aid in the construction of these homes, often because no other substantial job has presented itself. Settlements have entrenched themselves into the fabric of Palestinian life. This has become a commercial and political problem. What ways, if any, are there to create a commercial and political resolution?
