JERUSALEM -- An Israeli official says Israel has approved the
construction of 3,000 new housing units in West Bank settlements.
Friday's announcement comes a day after the United Nations recognized "Palestine" as a non-member observer state.
The
Palestinians say U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state in the West
Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem will help resume moribund Middle East
peace talks. Peace negotiations have been frozen for the past four years
as the Palestinians have refused to negotiate while Israeli settlement
construction continued.
Israel fiercely denounced the U.N. bid. It says peace can only come from direct negotiations and not unilateral moves.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the decision.
Associated Press