The announcement by Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu that the colonization of East Jerusalem and the West Bank is picking up speed has prompted in me another attack of IDS. Apparently, however, I’m not alone.
At the same time as thousands of new housing units are being constructed for Jewish Israelis, more Palestinian houses are being demolished under the occupation than are being built.
I wonder what these two folks are thinking at the moment?
In any case, according to the Globe & Mail:
About 200,000 Jewish Israelis already live in the communities of occupied Jerusalem. Another 300,000 Israelis live in settlements throughout the occupied West Bank.
And why the current building boom?
The Interior Minister Eli Yishai said he had authorised the building of 625 homes in Pisgat Zeev, 1,600 in Ramat Shlomo, and 2,000 in Givat Hamatos. The Israeli government says the project had been given the green light to help solve a severe housing shortage.
Ah, a housing shortage. That explains it. Israel needs—living-space.
Meanwhile, our Líder Máximo is returning to Canada after hobnobbing with his counterparts in the vibrant democracies of Colombia and Honduras. It is not expected that he will issue a statement critical of Israel’s current expansion plans.