Israel Plans More Homes in East Jerusalem
By ETHAN BRONNER
Published: December 28, 2009

JERUSALEM — Israel announced Monday that it would build nearly 700 housing units in Jewish areas of Jerusalem on territory conquered in the 1967 war that the Palestinians claim for their future state. The move was harshly condemned by Palestinian leaders as evidence that the Israelis are undermining efforts to restart peace talks.

Tenders for the 692 new units were issued by the Housing Ministry as part of the third and last batch of construction permits for 2009 across Israel. The other tenders issued, for about 6,500 units in 54 towns and communities, including more than 2,200 for Arab sectors of the country, drew little concern.

But the future of Jerusalem is among the most contentious issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Israel’s annexation of the parts of Jerusalem won in 1967 and its assertion that the reunified city would remain under its rule as its capital has won almost no support worldwide.

The United States consistently condemns unilateral Israeli steps in East Jerusalem as harmful to peace efforts.
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A month ago, Israel advanced plans for 900 more units in a fourth Jewish area of Jerusalem on land captured in 1967, a move that was criticized by the European Union and the United States.

President Obama said then in a television interview that such building did not make Israel safer, made achieving peace harder and embittered the Palestinians.