Israel plots new Jerusalem settlement

A Palestinian researcher with specialism in Israeli settlements has claimed that Israel is planning to build new settlements in Old City, Jerusalem. Ahmed Saab Laban said that Israeli construction officials had previously ?suspended the settlement plan because it breached the criteria set for construction in east Jerusalem. The researcher explained that the Israel government wants to construct four new settlement buildings in the Islamic neighbourhood near Bab Al Sahera (Herods Gate). The buildings will be ?between two to four floors high. There will be a separate Synagogue, along with public buildings for settlers living in the new neighbourhood .? Meanwhile, Israeli television said Tuesday night that the Ministry of Housing had announced plans to build a new settlement near Old City.? According to Channel 10, the settlement plan will be approved very soon, in a move likely to end any efforts to revive the peace process. The Israeli ministry's announcement comes two days after renewed peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships, in Washington.