Israel yesterday revealed plans to build more new homes in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim for their future state, hours after freeing more prisoners as part of a deal to set peace talks in motion.
The building work is seen as an attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make up for the prisoner release, for which he has been sharply criticised at home.
The Palestinian prisoners were jailed for deadly attacks on Israelis. Four projects are being promoted, including 1,500 homes in Ramat Shlomo in east Jerusalem and developing an archaeology and tourism site near Jerusalem’s sensitive Old City.
The release of 26 Palestinians was the second of four prisoner releases meant to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks in a bid to reach a final agreement between the two sides.
The Palestinians had long refused to resume peace talks with Israel unless it ends construction in territories that Palestinians seek for their state.
Israel refused, insisting that settlements and other core issues, including security, should be resolved through negotiations.
The prisoner release was part of an agreement brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry. He had managed to persuade Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to drop the settlement issue as a condition for restarting talks. In exchange, Israel agreed to the prisoner release.
The new east Jerusalem building plan angered the Palestinians but it was not clear if it would directly impact the talks, which are taking place behind closed doors.
The prisoners released in the latest batch were all held by Israel for murder.
Israel has a long history of lopsided prisoner exchanges with its Arab adversaries. But this week’s release appeared especially charged because Israel is receiving little in return except for the opportunity to conduct negotiations that few people believe will be successful.
In the West Bank and Gaza thousands celebrated as they welcomed the released prisoners. Mr Abbas greeted them at a ceremony in Ramallah.