Israeli Settlement Construction Resumes

Mere hours after the expiration of a 10-month moratorium on Israeli settlement building on September 26, the cement mixers and jackhammers were already preparing the contested land for more apartments.

In the 1967 Six Day War, Israel captured significant parts of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Golan Heights. Shortly thereafter, Israeli citizens started construction of houses and living areas, followed by infrastructure supported by the state .

The international community at large has maintained for over 40 years that the Israeli presence there constitutes a military occupation, and that as such, the building of civilian settlements on the land is strictly illegal by international law. Israel contests this, as it states that it has annexed the disputed areas into its territory, making it officially part of Israel.

Palestinian officials had, prior to the end of the settlement freeze, stated that the Palestinian Authority would withdraw from the recently restarted peace talks with Israel if the freeze was not extended. Hamas, the militant government that controls the Gaza Strip, has vowed for consequences to the restart of Israeli settlement building.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is likely trying to minimize the inevitable damage to the progress and solidity of the peace talks.  Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has not yet responded, but diplomats and the international press alike are expecting a curt response.