Israel's Christmas present to Palestinians is yet another land grab

A crane is seen next to homes in an Israeli settlement near Jerusalem. | Photo: Reuters

Israeli officials gave final approval to hundreds of new settler housing units in East Jerusalem Wednesday, despite simmering tensions with Palestinians.

“The municipal commission has given construction permits for 307 homes in Ramot and 73 in Har Homa,” Jerusalem city councilor Yosef Pepe Alalu told AFP.

Both Ramot and Har Homa are districts of East Jerusalem. All Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank are illegal under international law.

An opposition politician, Alalu conceded, “This kind of decision distances us from any chance of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians.”

He claimed the housing approvals were rammed through by local government officials as the public focuses on looming elections in March, sparked by a long standing dispute in the Knesset.

The 380 homes approved Wednesday could begin construction at any time, along with hundreds others given the thumbs up by Israeli authorities in recent months.

In November, more than 500 illegal homes were given the green light, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to fast track settlement construction in East Jerusalem.

On October 27, Netanyahu vowed to clear the way for over 1000 new settler homes, including 600 in Ramat Shlomo. East Jerusalem was illegally annexed by Israel in 1967.

The United Nations has refused to recognize Israel's claim over the eastern portion of the city.

The removal of Israeli settlements in the city is a key demand of Palestinian leaders, who say Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem is a key sticking point in peace talks.

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