By AHN News Staff

Jerusalem, Israel

In what could cause a diplomatic rift between Jerusalem and Washington, Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai has approved the construction of 1,600 new settler homes in Ramat Shlomo of disputed East Jerusalem region.

Roei Lachmanovich, the minister's spokesman, further hinted that approval for another 2,700 settler homes in near future is on the cards.

"He has approved 1,600 homes in Ramat Shlomo and will approve 2,000 more in Givat Hamatos and 700 in Pisgat Zeev," Lachmanovich said.

Clarifying the minister's decision, Lachmanovich said that it was approved because of the current economic crisis, blaming it to recent protests over housing prices and corresponding cost of living, which had shaken the country. "This is nothing political, it's just economic," he concluded.

In March 2010, such an announcement sparked tensions between the U.S. and Israel as it came during U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit to the region. Both Washington and the Palestinians had criticized Israel with latter blamed the Jewish nation for showing lack of commitment to restart the peace process.

 

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World - Israel Approves 1,600 Settler Homes in East Jerusalem | Global Viewpoint