The Israeli settlements issue - 25 Aug 09

Barack Obama, the US president, is attempting to seal an Arab-Israeli peace deal that has eluded the region for more than six decades.

Ahead of an initiative expected to be announced in September, Al Jazeera is examining the prospects for peace in a week-long series from Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan.

After years of accords, summits and roadmaps, hope is now being pinned on Obama to restore momentum to negotiations.

His administration has already made it clear it opposes the ongoing building of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land occupied since 1967.

Hundreds of thousands of homes have been constructed despite international condemnation and in contravention of international law.

In the second of the series, Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland examines the issue.