Israel approves building plan

Israel has plans to build another 600 homes in occupied land it considers part of East Jerusalem, the Haaretz daily newspaper reported yesterday.

The plan approved by a district planning commission could further stymie United States-brokered efforts to renew stalled peace talks as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has insisted on a total settlement freeze including in Jerusalem.

A similar building plan proposed late last year for elsewhere in the Jerusalem area drew international condemnation.