Israel approves construction of 500 more housing units in east Jerusalem

Announcement comes amid all-time low in US-Israeli diplomatic relations.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
A laborer works on an apartment building under construction in Jerusalem (photo credit: REUTERS)
A laborer works on an apartment building under construction in Jerusalem
(photo credit: REUTERS)
One week after approving over 1,000 housing units in north-east Jerusalem amid international condemnation, the Interior Ministry on Monday approved the construction of 500 more units in the primarily Arab neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo.
Last Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office approved 1,000 new settler homes, including 600 in Ramat Shlomo and 400 in Har Homa, also located beyond the Green Line.
The announcement come amid a possible all-time low in diplomatic relations between Israel and the US, which has repeatedly said it is “deeply concerned” over ongoing settlement construction in Jerusalem.
The announcement is likely to draw further international condemnation among supporters of the Palestinian Authority, which plans to establish its capital in east Jerusalem.
The units will expand Ramat Shlomo’s existing settlement, a Peace Now spokesperson told AFP.