Israel: A Grand Construction Strategy, Step by Step

On Tuesday, after  the approval of 900 housing units in November and 700 new apartments in December, Israel's Jerusalem municipality approved the construction of a further four apartment buildings in East Jerusalem.

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erakat responded, "We condemn this decision in the strongest language and we condemn the Israeli Government's continuing construction of settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank....Netanyahu's government is talking about peace and negotiations in a way that is totally opposed to the reality on the ground where settlement activity is continuing."

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Stephan Miller, spokesman for Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, was far happier about the decision, "As far as the municipality is concerned, building can begin".