Studies show that US coverage is Israeli-centric. The main bureaus for CNN, Associated Press, Time, etc. are located in Israel and often staffed by Israelis. The son of the NY Times bureau chief is in the Israeli army;"pundit" Jeffrey Goldberg served in the IDF; Wolf Blitzer worked for AIPAC. Because the U.S. gives Israel over $8 million/day - more than to any other nation - we feel it is essential that we be fully informed on this region. Below are news reports to augment mainstream coverage.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Israel Approves Two Bids To Build 426 Units For Settlers

IMEMC
Israel’s TV, Channel 10, reported that Israel announced bids for the construction of 26 additional units for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem, especially in Abu Ghneim, and east of the Green Line inside the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.  

 The TV reported that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, did not tell the U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, of this plan during their meeting.
The approval was made before Biden left Israel; 309 units are planned to be built in Neve Yacov, in East Jerusalem, and 117 units in Jabal Abu Gheim (Har Homa). The last day for accepting bids was last Wednesday.

Israel wants to build units and malls in Neve Yacov and the plan was already approved by Israel's Housing Ministry.

The Ministry and the so-called Israel’s Land Authority, also approved the constructions in Har Homa.

Israeli Peace Now movement reported that the plan is intended to obstruct any separation between West Jerusalem and East Jerusalem, and also between Palestinian lands east of the Green Line.

The TV said that this plan is meant to create a new political reality that  prevents any political settlement in occupied Jerusalem......   Full story