Israel approves 1,100 new homes in east Jerusalem
Israeli settler youths march with Israeli flags during a protest march against Palestinian statehood, from the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar near the Palestinians town of Nablus. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to seek U.N. recognition this week of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in 1967. (Sept. 20, 2011) Credit: AP
Israel’s government has given the final go-ahead for the construction of 1,100 new housing units in east Jerusalem.
The move is sure to heighten tensions, which are already high following a Palestinian move last week to seek U.N. membership.
Israel’s Interior Ministry announced Tuesday that it had given the final approval for the new homes to be built in Gilo, a sprawling Israeli enclave in southeast Jerusalem. It said construction could begin after a mandatory 60-day period for public comment.
The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war, as their future capital. They oppose all Israeli construction in the city’s eastern sector and have demanded a freeze on settlement construction in east Jerusalem and the adjacent West Bank.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep. 6: Top football teams in action and soccer playoffs roundup Gregg Sarra sounds off on Farmingdale vs. Massapequa and the battle between Longwood and Floyd, plus Michael Sicoli recaps some of the playoff soccer games, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep. 6: Top football teams in action and soccer playoffs roundup Gregg Sarra sounds off on Farmingdale vs. Massapequa and the battle between Longwood and Floyd, plus Michael Sicoli recaps some of the playoff soccer games, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
