Watchdog: Israel started 1,650 new settler homes since freeze end

Ma’an - Jewish settlers have started building 1,649 homes since the end of a freeze in construction on 26 September, watchdog Peace Now said Sunday, more than making up for the 10-month ban on new building.

… During 2009, construction work began on 1,888 new housing units, the report said, citing data from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

"Had the construction continued at the same speed without the freeze, work would have begun on 1,574 units during the 10 months of the moratorium," Peace Now said.

"In the six weeks since the end of the moratorium, the settlers have managed to start construction on a similar number of units." Read more