US vice president’s West Bank tour overshadowed by new Israeli settlement plans in Jerusalem
By APWednesday, March 10, 2010
Biden’s West Bank tour clouded by settlement plans
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israel’s new plan to build 1,600 homes for Jews in east Jerusalem is overshadowing Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the West Bank.
Biden is to hold talks Wednesday with Palestinian leaders in an effort to ease their doubts about the latest U.S. peace efforts.
The talks are almost certain to address Israel’s announcement of new construction plans. Israel’s refusal to halt such building on war-won land has infuriated the Palestinians and undermined their faith in the U.S. as an effective mediator.
Biden rebuked the new plan as the kind of step that undermines the trust needed at this time.
The announcement was an embarrassing setback for Biden after a day of warm meetings with senior Israeli officials.
