The Jerusalem municipal planning committee on Monday approved construction of 32 new apartments in the Jewish neighborhood of Pisgat Ze’ev across the Green Line. The approval is part of larger construction plan for 250 apartments. This comes despite the Obama administration's declared opposition to building in the eastern part of the city.
We will continue to plan and build in every neighborhood in this city and we will not allow external forces to intervene, said Elisha Peleg, a member of the Jerusalem Municipal Planning and Construction Committee.
Obama's administration has voiced extreme disappointment with Israel over its decision to continue building in East Jerusalem, despite the 10-month construction freeze.
Construction of the apartments could begin as early as Tuesday. The homes in question are just a fraction of the 250 units the committee is intent on building in the neighborhood.
Biden characterized the decision as undermining peace efforts, and the Obama administration has since made clear that it views construction in East Jerusalem as a violation of the settlement freeze. Israel, on the other hand, insists that neighborhoods in Jerusalem should not be likened to West Bank settlements.
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