Xinhua
January 17, 2013 - 1:00am
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-01/16/c_132107522.htm


 

 The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Wednesday called for an international intervention to save the peace process with Israel.

The call came after the Israeli government's announcement of plans to build some 200 housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

"The new settlement plans aim at completely destroying what has left of the peace process," said Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator.

Erekat said the increase in settlement activities was for electoral purposes, as Israel would hold its parliamentary elections next week.

The settlements caused the peace talks to break down in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government's approvals for settlement constructions jumped 300 percent in 2012, said a report by the Israeli NGO Peace Now.

In 2012, the Israeli government approved the building of 6,676 houses. In 2011 and 2010, the number of license issued was 1,607.




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