Israel to build 1,200 settlement apartments in disputed territory

Israel’s housing minister yesterday gave final approval for building nearly 1,200 settlement apartments on lands the Palestinians want for their state, three days before US-sponsored talks on the borders of such a state are to begin in Jerusalem.

The Palestinians said they would complain to the US and Europe. Negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh said Israel’s announcement on promoting settlement plans, the third over the course of a week, “is clear proof that the Israeli government is not serious about the talks.”

The announcement by Israeli housing minister Uri Ariel came just hours before Israel was to announce the names of 26 veteran Palestinian prisoners to be freed later this week. In all, Israel has promised to free 104 such prisoners in four stages over the course of nine months of negotiations.