World | Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Starts New Settlement in Palestinian Area Netanyahu in DC as new West Bank constructions rile allies By Jason Farago Posted May 18, 2009 6:11 AM CDT Copied Israeli settler Baruch Marzell, left, scuffles with a left-wing activist during a demonstration against settlements in the West Bank town of Hebron, Friday, May 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi) Israel began construction today on a new settlement in the northern West Bank for the first time in 26 years, Haaretz reports. The move comes as PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington for his first meeting with Barack Obama, whose administration opposes the settlements. An official insisted that the new buildings were legal, but a peace organization said the buildings were proof that "Netanyahu is not ready to commit to a two-state solution." Read These Next See 6 reactions to Trump's SOTU address. Home Improvement actor is going to jail for more than a year. Martin Short's daughter dies by suicide at 42. Bill Gates apologized to his staff, spoke of his affairs. Report an error