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Israel to construct 64 new housing units in East Jerusalem

February 9, 2015 at 10:53 am

The Israeli Committee of Local Planning and Construction of the Jerusalem Municipality yesterday approved the construction of 64 new housing units, north of East Jerusalem, the Anadolu Agency reported.

The new residential project will be constructed in the Ramot neighbourhood, Israel’s public radio said.

An expert on settlements affairs, Abdul Salam Awad described the decision as “dangerous” because the residential project will be constructed in the vicinity of East Jerusalem.

Awad told Anadolu that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using the construction of more settlements to win favour with voters, especially after his popularity declined following the war on Gaza.

Expanding the Israeli settlements is considered the toughest obstacle that hinders the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

The Israeli government has recently issued tenders for the construction of 450 new housing units in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

The United States and European countries denounced the announcements saying they hinder any prospect of peace.