Israeli plans to build new settlements in occupied portions of the West Bank are "not helpful" and violate the roadmap peace plan, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday. "The United States considers the expansion of settlement activity to be not consistent with Israeli obligations under the roadmap, and we've made that very clear," Rice told a congressional budget committee. "And I've also said that it's certainly not helpful to the peace process." The Palestinians have said they will not resume negotiations until Israel declares an end to settlement activity after the Israeli government this week announced plans to expand housing units in disputed East Al-Quds by as much as 550 units. Rice said the State Department is taking steps to ensure that any aid to Israel will not be used in support of settlement activity. The roadmap peace plans was drawn up by the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia and unveiled in 2003.
