Report: 1,300 new settlements await Netanyahu's OK

Ma'an
A new round of settlement homes in East Jerusalem are in the works, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, as the US administration awaits a response from Israel on its decision to expand a settlement in the city.

The Israeli Housing Ministry plans to build 1,300 new housing units across the Pisgat Ze'ev, Nabi Yakov and Har Homa settlements, which require Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approval, in light of the recent crisis in Israeli-US relations, the Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronot wrote.

The newspaper explained that the latest building proposal is in advanced stages, and has already received support from the regional construction committee - the execution only requires political backing, according to the daily.

In December 2009, Housing Minister Ariel Itas said Israel should build on land outside of the green line, referring to a 54 housing unit expansion in occupied Palestinian territory, to distract the international community from further settlement building in East Jerusalem, a ministry official told the daily.

The official added that the most recent building plans in East Jerusalem are more complex than previous proposals, and therefore required the prime minister's approval.....   Full story