US criticizes Israel for plans to build hundreds more Jerusalem homes

Israel has invited tenders for the building of hundreds of more homes in Jewish settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, the independent Channel 10 television said on Sunday. In all, the housing ministry sought bids for the construction of 692 new homes in the settlements of Neve Yaacov, Pisgat Zeev and Har Homa, among a dozen that ring the city, the channel said. East Jerusalem settlements already house some 200,000 Jewish settlers alongside its 270,000 Palestinian residents. Israel's continued expansion of settlements is one of the biggest obstacles to the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians, now suspended for a year. and here