Abbas to respond to Israel's settlement activities in 48 hours

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas vowed Saturday to respond to Israel's continued settlement activities on Palestinian lands occupied by the Jewish state within 48 hours. He rebuked Israel for announcing the building of more housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners. "This is wrong and we will issue a response to this," Abbas said, addressing a delegation representing residents of east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as a future capital. The Palestinians stress that Israel's release of 104 long-time prisoners is not to be reciprocated by their tolerance to more housing units in the settlements but a halt in their efforts to join international organizations. On Friday, the Israeli government announced plans to build 1400 new settler homes in East Jerusalem.