Israel approves new settlement housing

JERUSALEM, June 29 (UPI) -- Israel's Defense Ministry authorized the construction of 1,450 housing units in a West Bank settlement just hours before Ehud Barak's departure for Washington.

The State Prosecutors Office Monday informed the High Court of Justice of the ministry's approval of new housing in the settlement of Adam, north of Jerusalem, Maariv reported.

The paper said in the first stage 190 housing units will be built in the settlement. Fifty of those units have received final approval and will eventually house residents of the illegal Migron outpost near Ramallah in a deal struck with the settler leaders, the report said.

Residents of the illegal outpost built on Palestinian land have agreed to willingly leave their homes and move to Adam, the paper said. The move is expected to take two to three years.

News of the building comes amidst U.S. administration demands Israel halt all settlement building completely, including construction requirements in accordance with natural growth needs. Maariv said Barak will meet with Mideast envoy George Mitchell Tuesday to discuss the settlements issue, the main bone of contention between Israel and the United States and one of the issues preventing renewal of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.