An Interior Ministry committee Sunday approved a Jerusalem plan to build 40,000 housing units in several neighborhoods, including Arab areas in eastern Jerusalem. The plan also includes 2,000 units in the Jewish neighborhoods of Gilo and Ramot, which American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has referred to as settlements.
New housing also was approved for the Arab neighborhoods of Issawiya, A-Tur and Shuafat. Mayor Uri Lupolianski said new building will help alleviate a housing shortage that has driven up the price of homes and discouraged young couples from living in the capital.