RAMALLAH, December 18, 2011 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Authority denounced Sunday Israeli plans to build 1,000 housing units in West Bank settlements.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told WAFA that 'the Israeli decision contradicts with efforts to revive the peace process.'
He said that it also coincides with rise in Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, their property and holy places.
Abu Rudeineh called on the international community to put a stop to this Israeli policy, which undermines peace efforts.
The Israeli housing ministry published Sunday bids to build 1,000 housing units in the occupied territory as part of the campaign to build 6,000 units in the West Bank and inside Israel, according to the Israeli Yedioth Ahronot newspaper website.
It said the ministry will adopt thousands of housing units in 44 settlements, including 348 in ‘Betar Illit’, west of Bethlehem, 500 in the settlement of 'Har Homa' on the land of Abu Ghneim Mountain, south of Jerusalem, and 180 in Giv’at Ze’ev settlement, north of Jerusalem.
Ariel Attias, Israeli minister of housing and construction and member of the religious Shas party, said that the construction decision came one month after Palestine has joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
M.G/F.R./M.S.
