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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.746000
Israel Rejects U.S. Criticism: Planned West Bank Construction Is Not a New Settlement
(Ha'aretz) Barak Ravid - The Israel Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected American criticism of construction plans to house Israeli families to be resettled by court order from the community of Amona. "The 98 housing units approved in Shilo do not constitute a 'new settlement.' This housing will be built on state land in the existing settlement of Shilo and will not change its municipal boundary or geographic footprint. The units are intended to provide a housing solution for the residents of Amona who must leave their homes in accordance with the demolition order issued by Israel's High Court of Justice." "Israel remains committed to a solution of two states for two peoples, in which a demilitarized Palestinian state recognizes the Jewish State of Israel. The real obstacle to peace is not the settlements - a final status issue that can and must be resolved in negotiations between the parties - but the persistent Palestinian rejection of a Jewish state in any boundaries."