fbpx

Palestinians: New Jerusalem building threatens talks

Palestinian officials said Israel\'s announcement of construction of 240 new units in eastern Jerusalem was a further blow to renewed peace talks.
[additional-authors]
October 15, 2010

Palestinian officials said Israel’s announcement of construction of 240 new units in eastern Jerusalem was a further blow to renewed peace talks.

Israel’s Housing Ministry announced Friday that among 3,500 tenders throughout Israel, 240 were approved for units in Ramot and Pisgat Ze’ev, in northeastern Jerusalem, Haaretz reported.

“The Netanyahu government is determined to thwart any chance of resuming direct negotiations,” Sa’eb Erekat, the top Palestinian negotiator said in response.

The announcement was the first major building start in eastern Jerusalem since an announcement in March of plans for 1,600 units during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden. That announcement and its timing precipitated months of tensions between the Netanyahu and Obama administrations.

Israel has said it will not freeze building anywhere in Jerusalem, which Israel considers sovereign territory.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Print Issue: Got College? | Mar 29, 2024

With the alarming rise in antisemitism across many college campuses, choosing where to apply has become more complicated for Jewish high school seniors. Some are even looking at Israel.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.