Defense ministry sources: East Jerusalem housing approval hurts peace talks
Associates of Defense Minister Ehud Barak criticized the approval of the plan to build 1,600 homes in east Jerusalem, adding that its timing "damages the negotiations with the Palestinians."
The sources said in a statement, "Israel has been working for several months now to build trust between the sides in order to begin negotiations, and our practical steps must take this into account." (Roni Sofer)
