Israel accelerates settlements construction

Israel has announced that it has ordered accelerated construction in two locations in east Jerusalem and in nearby West Bank settlements. A statement from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said 2,000 new apartments would be built. Some will be built in Har Homa, a neighbourhood in east Jerusalem which was annexed by Israel in 1967 and later renamed Homat Shmuel. Actual construction would be years away because of planning and permit procedures. A Palestinian Authority spokesman condemned Israel's decision to build more housing in east Jerusalem and in nearby West Bank settlements. Ghassan Khatib, Palestinian authority spokesman, said, "The Israeli decision of accelerating the settlement-building activities by adding another 2,000 units to settlements in occupied Palestinian territories is completely unacceptable and condemned and rejected by the Palestinian people and leadership. Israel cannot respond to legal and diplomatic and peaceful steps - like joining UNESCO on the basis of the voting of the majority of the members of the international community - by completely illegal and destructive steps like settlement expansion."