The units were announced by the Housing and Construction Ministry on May 29 and are planned to be built in the neighborhoods of Ramot and Pisgat Ze'ev.
By ALEX WINSTONHOUSES UNDER construction in the Har Homa neighborhood of Jerusalem in 2010(photo credit: REUTERS)
In a statement released on June 1, the European Union criticized a recent announcement regarding the construction of more than 800 new housing units in Jerusalem.The units were announced by the Housing and Construction Ministry on May 29 and are planned to be built in the neighborhoods of Ramot and Pisgat Ze'ev. "The policy of settlement construction and expansion in east Jerusalem continues to undermine the possibility of a viable two-state solution with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, which is the only realistic way to achieve a just and lasting peace," the EU statement read.The statement continued, "The European Union is strongly opposed to Israel's settlement policy, including in east Jerusalem, which is illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. The EU will continue to engage with both parties and with its international and regional partners to support a resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution."Israeli NGO Peace Now said in a statement, "Continued construction in east Jerusalem does not contribute to Jerusalem and does not contribute to Israel."Israeli settlements are seen as illegal under international law by the EU.