RAMALLAH, June 2 - In a politically-charged gesture of gratitude, Israeli officials are naming a new Israeli settlement after US President Barack Obama,
according to reports.
The location of the Obama settlement is along the main road that connects the West Bank’s northern and southern regions; a consequence of building the settlement would therefore be to separate those territories permanently.
In order to make concrete the reality of settlement in these territories, the Israeli government has decided to move its police headquarters next to the Obama settlement.
Israeli radio reported that this step came to honour Obama’s positions in solidarity with Israel which he disclosed to his audience at the AIPAC conference.
The settlement appears to be part of the E-1 plan connecting the heart of Jerusalem with Maale Adumim outside the city. The bloc of homes will sever the last remaining Palestinian corridor to the city and has been highly controversial, facing major opposition from the United States.