Source: Reuters - AlertNet
Country: occupied Palestinian territory
JERUSALEM, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Israel has given preliminary approval for the construction of 243 new homes on West Bank land that Israel annexed to Jerusalem, and advanced plans for another 270 homes in the same area, officials said on Thursday.
Such moves run counter to calls by the United States and other world powers for Israel to freeze construction of new settler homes.
The land in question was captured by Israel in a 1967 war and annexed to Jerusalem in a move never recognised internationally. Palestinians, who seek statehood in Israeli-occupied territory, want it as part of a future state.