Israel Moves Ahead With West Bank Settlements
By VOA News  18 May 2009

Israeli developers announced Monday they are moving ahead with plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.

New mobile homes are seen at the settlement of Maskiot in the Jordan Valley (2008 File)

The new construction is planned for a former military base called Maskiot.

Contractors toured the site on Sunday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday.

Israeli officials say the Defense Ministry approved the construction in July 2008. 

Peace Now, an anti-settlement group, says the new developments are timed to send a message to the United States and the international community about the intentions of Mr. Netanyahu's government.

The United States has urged Israel repeatedly to stop its settlement construction out of respect for the peace process with the Palestinians. 

A United Nations report earlier this month said the expansion of Jewish settlements and other restrictions in the West bank are undermining the economy of the city of Bethlehem.

The report said the settlements, construction of Israel's West Bank separation barrier and closed military zones had left only 13 percent of the 660-square-kilometer area available to Palestinians.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.