Ahmed Qureia, chief Palestinian Authority (PA) negotiator, charged Tuesday that Israel's plans to build 300 housing units in eastern Jerusalem is aimed at wrecking negotiations with the PA. "This is an attempt to obstruct negotiations," Qureia told Reuters News Agency. The construction is part of the massive Har Homa project located between Bethlehem and the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Gilo and Talpiyot.

The PA asked the State Department to intervene, arguing that eastern Jerusalem is in the same classification as communities in Judea and Samaria, where Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced he will freeze all development. The State Department said it would have to check the definition of Judea and Samaria after reporters asked if the term includes eastern Jerusalem.