Mohammed Mar'i Saudi Gazette RAMALLAH – The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Tuesday slammed Israel for approving plans for hundreds of housing units in the Jewish settlement of Gilo, between occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Sa'eb Erekat, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee and head of its Negotiations Department, said that the Israeli move is “a direct challenge to the international community that voted in favor of upgrading the status of Palestine and international efforts to restart negotiations.” Late Monday, the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee approved plans for 1,242 housing units in Gilo. Israeli Radio reported that construction on most of the approved units could begin immediately after construction bids are approved. The announcement came a week after the committee approved 2,612 units in Giv'at HaMatos and 1,500 units in Ramat Shlomo, as well as Jerusalem settlements beyond the Green Line annexed by Israel.
