Israel issues housing tenders in east Jerusalem

[November 06, 2012]  JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel says it is pushing forward with construction of more than 1,200 new homes in Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The government announced late Monday that it was accepting bids from contractors to build the homes in two Jewish enclaves in east Jerusalem, Ramot and Pisgat Zeev. It also reopened bidding for 72 homes in Ariel, deep inside the West Bank.

Anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now accused the government of issuing the tenders when the world's attention is on the American presidential election. The projects were all originally announced months ago.

Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967. The Palestinians claim both territories for a future state. While Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, the international community opposes all Israeli settlements.

[Associated Press]

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