Israeli plan for new road to West Bank settlement draws Palestinian ire

Israel plans new road to West Bank settlement

JERUSALEM — The Israeli government said Monday it is pressing ahead with plans for a new road to a large West Bank settlement, drawing swift Palestinian condemnation.

A Palestinian militant was also killed in a clash with Israeli forces on the Gaza border. The Israeli military said soldiers opened fire on Palestians planting explosives, killing one.

Border clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants trying to infiltrate or plant bombs are relatively common.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the plan to build a new West Bank highway sabotages U.S. efforts to restart direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Palestinians demand a halt to all Israeli building in the West Bank before they will resume direct peace talks. Construction, such as the road, would take place on land the Palestinians desire for a future state and, from their point of view, cements the Israeli presence in the West Bank.

Israel’s Housing and Construction Ministry said in a statement that it is seeking bids for the highway from Jerusalem to nearby Maaleh Adumim, a settlement of about 35,000 residents.

The ministry said the project does not violate Israel’s freeze on West Bank housing construction.