ARABS AND SELF-HATING JEWS OBJECT TO ISRAEL BUILDING APARTMENTS IN THE ENVIRONS OF JERUSALEM

Israel plans to build more than 2,600 housing units in a new urban settlement in East Jerusalem, an anti-settlement group said on Friday, angering Palestinians who want a halt to all such projects before they return to peace talks.

The Peace Now group said the plan was approved earlier this week by a municipal committee, which had given the go-ahead for construction on the site which lies on land seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war...

... Peace Now, which closely monitors city housing activity, said the plan would create an entirely new neighborhood in an area called "Givat Hamatos" or "aircraft hill" -- named after an Israel jet that fell at the site in the 1967 war.

The land lies within the expanded boundaries of Jerusalem, which Israel annexed unilaterally after its capture of territory in the war -- a move not internationally recognized.

PREDICTABLY, THE ARABS ARE UP IN ARMS:

The Palestinian Authority on Friday slammed Israeli plans to build more than 2,500 apartments in the new Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Hamatos, over the 1967 Green Line.

"Israel's plan to build 2,610 housing units ... between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, makes a mockery of ... efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace," Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement.

These 2600 apartments - that Israel desperately needs - are NOT inside what had been historically considered Jerusalem.

Also: Jerusalem had only been divided for 18 of its 3000+ years, so that boundary hardly has any meaning or value. If Berlin can be united in a free Germany, then Jerusalem should be united in a free Israel.

AND: Israel ANNEXED Jerusalem in 1967, so it;s a moot point.

And it's a phony reason the Arabs are using as an excuse for not negotiating.

YEAH PHONY EXCUSE":? Arafat negotiated with Israel from 1003-2000 and Israel was building every day in every one of these years. If it didn't stop Arafat, then it shouldn't stop Abbas.

Jews - like those who support PEACE NOW - who think Israel shouldn't build in JERUSALEM are dupes or worse - Judenrats.