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Israel

UK, US critical of new home building in Jerusalem

November 18, 2009 09:57

ByJessica Elgot, Jessica Elgot

1 min read

The British and US governments and the United Nations have denounced plans approved by Israel to build 900 homes in Gilo, a neighbourhood in Jerusalem.

The building has been approved by the Israeli Interior Ministry has approved the expansion of the neighbourhood in south west Jerusalem.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The Foreign Secretary has been very clear that a credible deal involves Jerusalem as a shared capital. Expanding settlements on occupied land in East Jerusalem makes that deal much harder. So this decision is wrong and we oppose it."

Israel government spokesman Mark Regev said that Gilo was an essential part of developing Jerusalem.