(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-24 21:52

RAMALLAH -- A Palestinian anti-settlement researcher on Monday slammed Israeli expansion of settlements in east Jerusalem, saying the Israeli plan is meant to annex the settlements outside the city.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan for Jerusalem is meant to annex the settlements outside the city to be under the domain of Jerusalem's municipality in addition to achieving a strategic goal by separating northern West Bank from its south, Khalil al-Tafakji told Voice of Palestine radio.

He added that Israel will isolate Jerusalem by three projects: building 20,000 housing blocs, the West Bank barrier and a road linking the settlements.

It was also an electoral campaign for Olmert to secure a gain in 2010 elections, said al-Tafakji, adding "Olmert has to run in the elections while having something subject to Israeli national consensus... this thing is Jerusalem."

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will meet later Monday while Palestinians affirm the issue of the settlements will be the main topic to be discussed.