The rate of Israeli building on Palestinian land increased by 40% last year says Peace Now in a new report. The PA condemns the construction as a ‘war crime’ but most Israeli parties know there are no votes in ending this means of providing cheap housing for Jewish citizens.

Although Col. Arieli argues that settlements need not prevent a 2-state solution (link in post) a report from Peace Now (3) says the hectic building under Netanyahu is a deliberate block to an independent Palestine. 1, Netanyahu pledges not to make any settlers leave W.Bank. 2, an overview from Reuters.

The details of land transactions are complex but the reality is simple: claiming land for Israeli settlement or archaeological excavation proceeds without hindrance. What would be illegal in most countries has become ‘normative’ behaviour in Israel writes Akiva Elder

Peace Now, Israel’s largest peace organization and a consistent opponent of settlements, is the latest target of settlers who have vandalised its offices and issued death threats to Hagit Ofran, its settlements monitor 1) . Settler attacks have increased by 40% this year as police and politicians do little to stop it 2)