July 19, 2011

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Construction and Housing Ministry said it would build more than 300 homes in two West Bank settlements.

Monday’s call for bids to build the new housing came as part of plans by the ministry to build 6,900 new homes in 38 Israeli cities.

The plans call for 294 apartments in Betar Ilit, located six miles south of Jerusalem, and another 42 apartments in Karnei Shomron, located in the northern West Bank near Kalkilya.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the planned West Bank homes, saying it only reinforced the PA’s plans to turn to the United Nations in September to achieve statehood.
It will take up to three years to build the homes. The developers will have to secure their own building permits, the ministry said.

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