Provocation in Ma'aleh Adumim

Quote:

But no matter how strong the desire to support Ariel Sharon at this stage and to postpone debate over the future of the settlements to a later stage, it is difficult to accept the revelation that the government plans to build another 3,500 housing units in the area known as E-1, between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim, and thus obstruct the territorial contiguity needed for a Palestinian state, something Sharon has already agreed on... The question whether the Americans are winking their agreement or deliberately ignoring Israel's new expansionist intentions is not the point. A demonstration of some sensitivity toward the Palestinians at this fragile state of the relationship is far more important than adding any new territories.