American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has demanded that Israel explain its appropriation of land in the E-1 area of Ma'aleh Adumim for a new highway. Speaking at Shannon, Ireland, en route to Moscow, she said she called Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman "and asked for clarification."

The land in question is part of Arab communities and is to be used for highways that connect Arab communities that otherwise would be cut off from each other by the separation barrier. A road also is to be built to connect Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim to the east.

Secretary Rice is scheduled to arrive in Israel next week after a two-day visit in Russia.