New Israeli Settlements Pop Up In West Bank

The "Peace, Now" movement in Israel recently said: "During our flights on Friday in the West Bank, we observed four new settlements that did not exist a week ago."

The Road Map calls for the demolishment of nearly 60 settlements formed since Sharon’s appointment in March 2001.

Following discussions between high-ranking Israeli and Palestinian security officials, Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member of the Palestinian Cabinet, said that Israel might withdraw from a wide sector of the Gaza Strip and from two cities in the West Bank, thus moving in the direction of the U.S. proposal. Though both sides of the conflict made some effort toward a new cease-fire, the clashes in the Gaza Strip continued yesterday.

Reports indicate that a committee consisting of high-ranking Egyptian and Saudi security officials met with Israeli and Palestinian representatives in a effort to de-escalate tension in the region. In a speech to Arab-American members of an anti-discrimination committee, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "We will not stop our efforts for peace. We’ll never stop, never hesitate, not even for a moment."

Calling upon Israel to keep Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s promise to improve living conditions of the Palestinians and to withdraw from Palestinian lands, Powell invited Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas to do his best to stop the terrorist attacks being waged against the Israeli people.

A total of 60 people have been killed in attacks from both sides since the Aqaba summit on June 4 in Jordan.

Foreign News Services / Istanbul / TURKEY