Israel to build 600 new settler homes

Israel unveiled plans yesterday to build more than 600 new homes in Jewish settlements, drawing fresh Palestinian condemnation a day after it approved an expansion of its security barrier in the West Bank.

The government published tenders for a series of building projects planned for three West Bank settlements on occupied land in defiance of a US-backed "road map" peace plan that calls for a halt to construction at settlements.

Housing Ministry spokesman Koby Bleich said the plan was part of "a government policy by which we are to advance and develop communities in Judea and Samaria (biblical names for the West Bank) in accordance with needs and natural growth."

But Palestinians denounced the move. The international community views all Jewish settlements on occupied territory as illegal. Israel disputes this.

"This is evidence that the road map has been fully assassinated by an Israeli policy of settlement expansion, to which the United States is a witness," Palestinian cabinet member Yasser Abed Rabbo said.