Israel plans 1,600 new Jewish homes in Jerusalem as Biden arrives

[mgt23]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... rives.html

Israel approved the construction of 1,600 new settler homes in east Jerusalem on Tuesday as Joe Biden, the US vice-president, met top Israeli officials to boost renewed peace efforts.
 

By Matthew Kalman in Jerusalem
Published: 6:43PM GMT 09 Mar 2010
President Shimon Peres (R) with the visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the President's residence in Jerusalem: Joe Biden: Israel and Palestine peace talks at 'moment of opportunity'
President Shimon Peres (R) with the visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the President's residence in Jerusalem Photo: EPA

The controversial move was certain to anger Palestinians, who consider settlements a major hurdle in attempts to reach a peace accord, and who want occupied east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state.

Mr Biden, the highest-ranking US official to visit Israel and the West Bank since President Barack Obama took office a year ago, welcomed the decision by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume indirect peace talks after more than a year of paralysis.
 


But the announcement of the new homes in the Ramat Shlomo settlement was certain to draw harsh criticism from Palestinians. Israel on Monday had already given the go-ahead for 112 new homes in a West Bank settlement in an exception to a partial moratorium on settlement construction announced in November which does not include east Jerusalem.

Mr Biden broke with recent State Department criticism of Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza to praise the partial freeze on West Bank settlement construction.

Mr Biden also pledged Washington's determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and demanded that Tehran stop supporting "terrorist groups," which he said threaten Israel as well as US interests.

"There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security," he said. "We're determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and we're working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist."

[scorpio]

What a slap in the face.
Israel sent a message to Obama/Biden as to who REALLY is in charge!  :roll:

It is quite ironic that in the USA, all housing must be 'equal opportunity'.
To build housing for 'Jews only' would be quite racist and illegal!!!
Only in Israel, folks.