BBC NEWS | 2010/01/09 | 03:17:03 GMT

WEST BANK SETTLEMENTS

• Construction of settlements began in 1967, shortly after the Middle East War
• Some 280,000 Israelis now live in the 121 officially-recognised settlements in the West Bank
• A further 190,000 Israelis live in settlements in Palestinian East Jerusalem
• The largest West Bank settlement is Maale Adumim, where more than 30,000 people were living in 2005
• There are a further 102 unauthorised outposts in the West Bank which are not officially recognised by Israel
• The population of West Bank settlements has been growing at a rate of 5-6% since 2001
• Source: Peace Now

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Palestinians and Israelis to resume peace talks as soon as possible and without preconditions. The call comes as the Israeli prime minister held talks in Egypt, and the Saudi foreign minister was in Syria. Mrs Clinton said that if the border issues for a Palestinian state were resolved, that would iron out differences over Israeli settlements. Her comments came after talks with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. Mrs Clinton also met Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Abulgheith in Washington. Following the meetings, she gave some details about how the US administration views a peace agreement. She called for a viable Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines, the year Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza. This is a crucial starting point for the Palestinians. She said Israel should have a secure Jewish state that reflects subsequent developments. In other words, some Israeli settlements on occupied land will remain, a key Israeli demand.     Continue reading →