ISRAELI COLONIES: Settlement building to triple in 2013

Rise in building criticized by Palestinians, who insist peace talks will not resume unless construction in West Bank is halted

A West Bank settlement, May 2012 (photo credit: Moshe Shai/Flash90)

AP — Official Israeli figures show housing starts in West Bank settlements rose significantly in the first three months of 2013 compared to the same period last year — numbers that are likely to cast a shadow on the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry.