TEL AVIV, November 15, 2008 (WAFA)- Haaretz Israeli Newspaper considered, Friday, Israeli Army Minister Ehud Barak’s approval of dozens of colonial construction projects in the West Bank in recent months, and marketing of hundreds of housing units in colonies, as being contradictory to Israel's commitments to the Road Map.

Some of the permits for construction projects were granted in colonies situated east of the Israeli Apartheid Wall, beyond the areas the state defines as 'colonization blocks' and expects to retain under its control following a permanent agreement with the Palestinians.

According to the Road Map, an American initiative put in place in 2003, the construction permits appear to contravene Israel's obligations.

Construction in the colonies is a permanent matter of dispute in talks for a permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, and has drawn strong criticism from both the US and the European Union.

Data received by Haaretz suggests that since April, Barak has authorized the following construction projects in the West Bank:

-          The marketing of at least 400 housing units and plots, of which 315 homes and 32 plots are in Bitar Ilit, 48 homes and 19 plots in Ariel, and 40 housing units and a commercial center at Efrat.

-          The construction of some 60 homes in a neighborhood that is several kilometers away from its mother colony of Eshkolot, in southern Mount Hebron, but is included in its municipal jurisdiction.

-          The registration and publication of construction projects in Ariel, Modi'in Ilit, Ma'aleh Adumim, Mevo Horon, Oranit, Efrat, Givat Ze'ev, Beit El, Neveh Daniel, Alon Shvut, Har Adar, Kochav Ya'akov and Talmon. The two latter colonies are situated to the east of the separation fence.

-          Mekorot, the Israeli water company, was given permission to prepare plans in Kiryat Arba, which is also situated east of the fence.

-          Authorization to plan 'an experimental electricity production farm' in southern Mount Hebron.

-          The planning of a cemetery in the area of Ma'aleh Adumim.

-          The allocation of 4.6 dunums (just over one acre) for the development of a nature reserve in the Prat stream in Wadi Kelt, which is east of the fence.

-          The allotment of plots for the construction of public buildings in the neighborhood of Matityahu-East in Modi'in Ilit (which has been partially built on lands of the Palestinian village of Bil'in). Similar allotments were made in Elkana, Kfar Oranim, Kedumim and Beit Aryeh.

.