World / Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Starts New Settlement in Palestinian Area Netanyahu in DC as new West Bank constructions rile allies By Jason Farago, Newser Staff 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." (More Benjamin Netanyahu stories.) Report an error