Israel plans to build new homes in West Bank
Israel says it plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians claim for their state.
Jerusalem: Israel says it plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians claim for their state. Israel's housing ministry announced that 800 new houses will be built in the West Bank and 600 in east Jerusalem.[caption id="attachment_1333609" align="alignleft" width="380"]
Image used for representational purposes only. AP.[/caption]Friday's announcement had been expected after Israel released 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners in late December, part of a deal made last summer when Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resumed.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously issued similar construction announcements to blunt hardline criticism at home of prisoner releases as many of those released were convicted of killing Israeli civilians and soldiers.This time, the announcement was apparently postponed for after a visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry who was in the region last week.AP
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