Israel approves East Jerusalem settlement plans

[Gerald]

The Israeli authorities have approved plans to build 1,500 more homes at a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem.

An interior ministry spokesman said its district planning commission had given preliminary approval for the construction in Ramat Shlomo.

The number of homes is slightly lower than the builder had applied for.

The controversial project was revived as part of Israel's response to a UN decision to grant the Palestinians the status of non-member observer state.

The Palestinians said the upgraded status would strengthen their hand in peace talks, but Israel said the only way to achieve an independent state was through direct negotiations.

The last round of direct talks broke down in late 2010 following a dispute over settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20760864

A new beginning has taken shape.



Note: 17 December 2012 Last updated at 19:25 GMT