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Written by Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies
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Category: News News
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Published: 01 June 2008 01 June 2008
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Last Updated: 01 June 2008 01 June 2008
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Created: 01 June 2008 01 June 2008
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Hits: 4788 4788
A Boim spokesman said the new tenders were a part of steps the government was taking to "strengthen Jerusalem."
However, Olmert, in keeping with the previous government's policy, has
vowed to keep West Bank settlement blocs, including enclaves near
Jerusalem, under any future peace accord.
Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital. Palestinians want East
Jerusalem to be the capital of the state they hope to establish in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Last month Boim instructed his office to publish a tender to build 286
new homes in the settlement of Beitar Illit, near Jerusalem.
Palestinian leaders say settlement expansion around Jerusalem could cut
off Palestinians' access to the holy city and carve up the West Bank in
a way that would deny them a contiguous state.