OA标准英语2009年-Israel to Build 700 Homes in East Jerus

A controversial Israeli settlement plan is throwing another wrench¹ into the stalled Middle East peace process.

Robert Berger | Jerusalem 28 December 2009

 
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Construction workers are seen on a new housing development in the Jewish neighborhood of Har Homa in east Jerusalem, 16 Dec 2009

Israel plans to build nearly 700 new apartments in disputed East Jerusalem, defying demands by the United States and the Palestinian Authority for a freeze on settlement construction.  While Israel has imposed a partial freeze on construction in the West Bank, government spokesman Mark Regev says that does not apply to Jerusalem, which Israel says is the eternal capital of the Jewish people.

"I want to be very clear. In the Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem, there is not going to be a freeze, there cannot be a freeze.  We never promised to freeze construction in those areas," he said.

The United States, which is a sponsor of the Middle East peace talks, says Israeli settlements are an obstacle to peace, and the issue has strained relations with Israel's right-wing government.  The Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, say they will not return to negotiations² until all settlement activity stops.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, "This decision to build new housing units in East Jerusalem undermines the credibility of those involved in making the peace process continue."

Israel says peace talks should resume without preconditions.
 

1 wrench   

v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受

参考例句：

• He gave a wrench to his ankle when he jumped down.他跳下去的时候扭伤了足踝。
• It was a wrench to leave the old home.离开这个老家非常痛苦。

2 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。