Israel reissues construction plans in eastern Jerusalem as peace talks falter

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel reissued tenders for the construction of residential units in eastern Jerusalem.

The Israel Lands Authority on Tuesday published tenders for 708 homes in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo.

The tenders were reissued as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to secure an agreement to keep peace negotiations with the Palestinians going.

The tenders were published six months, but got no bidders from contractors due to a high minimum price, according to the Times of Israel.

A plan to build nearly 900 apartments in Gilo was approved on the eve of the restarted peace talks in August.

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