The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Jerusalem

Israel has set aside money in its 2008 budget to build 750 homes in two settlements in the West Bank, the spokesman for the Israeli Peace Now movement announced Sunday. Yariv Oppenheimer told AFP: "We have discovered that the 2008 state budget includes 48 million shekels for the construction of 250 homes in the Maale Adumim settlement and 50 million more to build 500 homes in Har Homa," a settlement in the annexed eastern sector of Jerusalem. Earlier this week Israel abandoned plans for a new settlement in the Atarot area of east Jerusalem, a decision which US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called a "good step" in the context of the newly revived peace talks with the Palestinians. A Palestinian official said on Saturday that the Palestinians will renew demands for a freeze on settlement growth in the West Bank and east Jerusalem at their next meeting with Israeli negotiators. "The next round of negotiations will take place on Monday and until now we are still waiting for a clear Israeli position regarding the freeze on settlements," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member of the negotiating team.