JERUSALEM, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- An Israeli city council committee voted Wednesday to approve construction permits for more than 550 settlement units in East Jerusalem, a controversial decision that Palestinians are denouncing as illegal under international law and a blow to Mideast peace talks.
The Jerusalem municipality released a statement that said: "The local planning and building committee had dealt with request of private enterprises to approve building permits for 386 units in Har Homa, 136 units in Neve Yakov and 36 units in Pisgat Zeev for plans approved years ago."