By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved the renewed construction of hundreds of new homes in a West Bank settlement, local Ha’aretz reported on Sunday, citing Ministry of Housing and Construction.
According to the report, the project, located in the Agan Ayelot neighborhood in settlement of Givat Ze’ev, is expected to include an estimated 750 homes.
Housing and Construction Minister Ze’ev Boim on Sunday instructed his office to continue construction in the neighborhood in Givat Ze’ev, which is beyond the Green Line, said the daily.
Israeli Housing Ministry and Israel Lands Administration (ILA) started marketing lots for the housing units in 1999, but stopped near the end of 2000.
The contractors recently began resuming the work following the relative calm in the security situation and the increasing demand for apartments in Jerusalem and its vicinity.
“Resuming the construction in Agan Haeilot is important news,” said Boim. “The addition of hundreds of housing units is part of a policy aimed at meeting the high demands and the need to balance and maintain a reasonable price level, while meeting Jerusalem’s demographic needs.”
After numerous consultations regarding the construction, Olmertand Boim approved the project in Givat Ze’ev, and in the first stage of the project 200 housing units will be built.
Israel Radio reported that the religious Shas party, a key partner in the government coalition, had threatened to bolt the government unless the construction was approved.