(12 Nov 1998) English/Nat
Israel on Thursday announced it would begin construction of a large Jewish neighbourhood in a sector of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians as a future capital.
The revelation come a day after the Israeli Cabinet ratified the land-for-security agreement with the Palestinians.
Palestinians have denounced the construction plans as a violation of the peace accords that would "bring a serious response."
If Israel sticks to the latest peace accord, these tanks will leave parts of the West Bank next week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given the go-ahead for construction to begin in the Har Homa neighbourhood in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem.
The decision has left many Palestinians cynical about whether the latest peace effort - the Wye accord thrashed out in the U-S last month - will become a reality.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"They decided to approve the agreement but at the same time they decided to continue to expand and enforce existing Jewish settlements in the occupied territories within what they say is their long term plan, and they are convening tomorrow again to discuss the construction of another 12 bypass roads in the West Bank and they're putting other conditions in front of the implementation of the agreement. I believe it is only to give the impression that they are implementing the agreement but the conditions they are placing do not allow implementation of the agreement."
SUPER CAPTION: Ziad Abu Ziad, Palestinian Council Member
The construction go-ahead is seen by some as an attempt to blunt criticism from hard-line Israeli Cabinet ministers, coalition allies and key constituents.
Netanyahu supporters reject the Palestinians criticisms and insist that the settlement is legal and within the framework of the Wye Agreement.
His foreign Minister, Ariel Sharron held meetings with Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek.
Afterwards Sharon spoke out about the importance of trust, and that Israeli-Palestinian relations should be based on reciprocity.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Every agreement should be based upon mutual reciprocity, and that is the most important thing. In the interim or in the future the permanent agreement, and though we would like to move ahead, we decided to that but should be based upon true mutual reciprocity."
SUPER CAPTION: Ariel Sharon, Israeli Foreign Minister
Under the peace deal, Israel is to begin a phased withdrawal from 13 per cent of the West Bank in return for Palestinian security measures against Islamic militants.
But Netanyahu has threatened to annex parts of the West Bank if the Palestinians declare independence unilaterally in May.
The withdrawal is to be completed by the end of January.
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