Palestinians to Turn to U.N. over Israel Settlement Drive

The Palestinians said Thursday they would appeal to the United Nations after Israel announced plans for 1,500 new settler homes in response to the formation of a Hamas-backed unity government.

The new government of technocrats is recognized by both the European Union and the United States but Israel has vowed to boycott what it says is a "government of terror" supported by its Islamist foe.

The tenders were unveiled by the Israeli housing ministry overnight, just 48 hours after the swearing in of the unity government ending seven years of rival administrations in the West Bank and Gaza.

The move drew a furious reaction from the Palestinians, who pledged to turn to the U.N. Security Council for an anti-settlement resolution for the first time in more than three years.

Of the 1,500 new homes, 400 will be in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and the rest in the occupied West Bank.

"I welcome the decision to give a fitting Zionist response to the establishment of the Palestinian government of terror," said Housing Minister Uri Ariel of the far-right Jewish Home party, describing the new homes as "just the beginning."

Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said the Palestinian leadership would seek U.N. intervention to bring Israel to account for the new settlement expansion drive.

"The executive committee of the PLO views this latest escalation with the utmost of seriousness and will counter it by addressing both the U.N. Security Council and the General Assembly as the proper way of curbing this grave violation and ensuring accountability," she said.

The last time the PLO sought a Security Council resolution against the settlements was in February 2011, but the move -- which was widely supported -- was blocked by a US veto.

Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, a senior official said the leadership was also considering an appeal to the international justice system.

"The Palestinian leadership is looking seriously into going to international courts against settlement activity," he said.

The option of legal action against Israeli settlement building at the International Criminal Court in The Hague opened up after the Palestinians won observer state status at the United Nations in 2012.

But they agreed to hold off on any such recourse for the duration of US-brokered peace negotiations with Israel, which collapsed earlier this year with Washington saying persistent settlement expansion played a major part.

"It is time to hold Israel accountable in front of international organizations," chief negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP.

"Those who fear the international courts should stop their war crimes against the Palestinian people, first and foremost of which is settlement activity."

Other officials urged Washington to take action against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"It is time for the American administration to take serious steps against what the government of Israel is doing," said Nimr Hammad, an adviser to President Mahmud Abbas.

"This decision affirms that ... Netanyahu is a liar and is not interested in the two-state solution," he told AFP, accusing him of pushing the Palestinians into a corner.

"Netanyahu wants to push the Palestinians into one of two options: either a confrontation, or .. to go to the United Nations."

Erakat said the new tenders heralded a "major escalation".

"We believe this latest announcement is a clear sign that Israel is moving towards a major escalation, such as new settlement construction, the annexation of occupied territory and forcible transfer," he said.

Since Monday, several hardline ministers have called for Israel to respond to the new government by annexing large swathes of the West Bank.

In a speech at the weekend, Abbas acknowledged Israel would seek to "punish" the Palestinians for agreeing on a government with Hamas, but warned there would be "a proper response" for every move.

News of the new settler homes came on Naksa Day when the Palestinians commemorate Israel's seizure of the West Bank, including Arab east Jerusalem, in the Six-Day War of 1967.