JERUSALEM — The State Department sharply criticized Israel on Wednesday for taking steps to build hundreds of housing units in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. The Israel Land Authority sought bids to build more than 300 units in a belt of territory around Jerusalem that Israel annexed after the Arab-Israeli war of 1967. Further frustrating international officials, the tenders were issued at a time when Israel has stepped up demolition of Palestinian-owned buildings in East Jerusalem. The United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that by its count, 109 structures have been demolished in East Jerusalem this year, including 13 inhabited homes. The tenders, posted without fanfare on Tuesday on the land authority’s website, came to wide attention after they were publicized by Ir Amim, a group that monitors settlement activity in East Jerusalem.

Source: International New York Times July 28, 2016 22:14 UTC