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E. Jerusalem Settlements Rile Palestinians

New Israeli housing in future capital creates controversy

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 12, 2008 12:20 PM CST

(Newser) – The contentious issue of post-Annapolis Israeli settlement has flared up again after the government began construction of hundreds of new homes in East Jerusalem, the putative capital of an independent Palestine. Although PM Ehud Olmert has frozen construction of new homes in the West Bank, the housing minister said today the freeze doesn't apply to East Jerusalem, reports Haaretz.

"There is no delay, limitation, or suspension of the construction of Jewish neigbhorhoods in East Jerusalem," Ze'ev Boim told an Israeli radio station. The government is planning to build up to 10,000 new apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, a part of the territories annexed by Israel in 1967. The Palestinian PM accused Israel of failing to keep its promise to freeze settlement.

A Palestinian boy walks next to a section of Israel's separation barrier at the West Bank refugee camp of Shuafat, on the edge of Jerusalem, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008.
A Palestinian boy walks next to a section of Israel's separation barrier at the West Bank refugee camp of Shuafat, on the edge of Jerusalem, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Palestinians walk in the narrow alleyways of east Jerusalem's Old City, following Friday Muslim prayers, Friday Feb. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Palestinians walk in the narrow alleyways of east Jerusalem's Old City, following Friday Muslim prayers, Friday Feb. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)   (Associated Press)
Palestinians walk in the narrow alleyways of east Jerusalem's Old City, following Friday Muslim prayers, Friday Feb. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Palestinians walk in the narrow alleyways of east Jerusalem's Old City, following Friday Muslim prayers, Friday Feb. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)   (Associated Press)
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