Peace Now, an Israeli activist group,said on Monday that 36 of the units are being offered in the settlement neighborhood of Neve Yaakov and another 41 in Pisgat Zee, which are both located at the northern edge ofEast al-Quds (Jerusalem).
According to the groups spokeswoman, Hagit Ofran, the announcement is the first of its kind in East al-Quds since a March 17 general election, which once again brought to power Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right wing Likud party.
The publication of the tenders could also be an indicator from Netanyahus transitional government of what can perhaps be expected -- God forbid -- when the new government is formed, Peace Now added.
The activist group also censured the hawkish Israeli premier for seeking to prevent the chance of peace with the Palestinians.
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A view of an illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank (file photo)[/caption]A day before the election, Netanyahu said he would press ahead with settlement construction in East al-Quds if he won the vote.
He added that Palestinians would never be allowed to establish their capital in the city in case of his reelection, adding, I wont let that happen. My friends and I in Likud will preserve the unity of [East al-Quds] Jerusalem.
Israel has tried to change the demographic makeup of al-Quds over the past decades by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank includingEast Jerusalem al-Quds in 1967.
Much of the international community regards the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were occupied by Israel in 1967, and they are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
By Press TV
