JERUSALEM, February 7, 2011 (WAFA) – The Israeli Building and Planning Committee in Jerusalem is expected to approve Monday the building of two new settlements with 13 units in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in the centre of the city, according to the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem.

The settlement building is for the benefit of Jewish extremist groups currently occupying four houses in the neighborhood. These groups are looking to take over the remaining Palestinian houses, claiming ownership of the land.

The municipality said that approving this settlement means the expulsion of a number of Palestinian families living on the land in order to start the construction work.

The committee is also discussing the expropriation of Palestinian land south of Jerusalem in order to open a route to the settlement of Har Homa, built on land-owned by residents of Beit Sahour.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Monday approved a plan authorizing the construction of 15 buildings in Netafim settlement and 10 others in Nevi Tsof settlement in the West Bank, according to Israel Army radio.

It said Barak informed the Israeli High Court of his approval of this plan.

T.R./F.J.