By Prensa Latina
Tel Aviv : Palestinian President Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina called Israel to stop the expansion of settlements as soon as possible on the territories occupied since the six-day war in 1967.
The call came at a time when the Israeli Ministry of Construction announced the construction of 740 houses in the zones of Har Homa and Maale Adumin, in eastern Jerusalem, next year.
Rudeina pointed out that Israeli authorities continue to create obstacles to hinder negotiations, because they do not want just and permanent peace in the region.
Israeli sources confirmed that the 2008 budget would allocate 25 million dollars to build those houses, whose construction will be approved by Parliament this week.
Israeli Education Minister Yuli Tamir told local media that there is consensus on Har Homa and Maale Adumin, in the occupied West Bank, becoming a part of Israel’s sovereign territory. One thousand houses were built in those zones in 2006.
Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel’s announcement “is not the way to build confidence,” adding that it jeopardizes the resumption of peace talks.
At the international conference held in the US city of Annapolis, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert committed themselves to resuming the talks and reaching agreements in 2008.
The first meeting was held under strong tensions on December 28, 2006, when Palestine demanded an end to the construction of 307 houses in Har Homa.
Another round of talks is scheduled to begin on Monday, amid attacks on the Gaza Strip, the expansion of settlements and Olmert’s announcement to continue to build houses in the occupied territories.