US Condemns Israel East Jerusalem Building Plans

Biden, in Israel as part of US attempts to kick-start the peace process, said it was "the kind of step that undermines the trust we need". Photo by BGNES

US Vice-President Joe Biden has condemned Israel's approval of 1 600 new homes for ultra-Orthodox Jews in East Jerusalem.

Biden, in Israel as part of US attempts to kick-start the peace process, said it was "the kind of step that undermines the trust we need", the BBC reported.

Israel insisted it was a procedural step not connected to the visit.

Biden is now due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the West Bank.

Israel's approval of the new housing units has infuriated the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

The international community considers East Jerusalem occupied territory. Building on occupied land is illegal under international law, but Israel regards East Jerusalem - which it annexed in 1967 - as its territory.

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