The Israeli government decided to advance planning for about 1,000 new homes in Jewish areas of east Jerusalem, a government official said, a move that could shore up support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and enrage Palestinians.
The official in Netanyahu’s office spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the record. He said he had no further information when asked whether approval for the 400 homes in the Har Homa neighborhood and 600 homes in Ramat Shlomo was already in the pipeline. Planning for West Bank infrastructure, including roads that will be used by Palestinians as well as Israelis, will also be advanced, the official said.
