SOTT – Israel’s settlement expansions have increased under president Barack Obama despite Washington’s repeated assertions that Israel’s settlements in Palestine are both illegal and a barrier to peace. The Associated Press reports that Israeli government data shows Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for the expansion of illegal settlements have surpassed the level of building under George W. Bush. According to the documents, which go up to June 30, 12,288 new settlement buildings started in the West Bank since Obama entered the White House.
