West Bank, ALRAY - Israeli Housing Ministry approved Tuesday construction permits for 387 settlement units in Ramat Shlomo settlement to the south of occupied Jerusalem.

By this decision, occupation authorities aim to expand the settlement by adding 1500 units for the east side towards Ramot settlement.

The settlements of Ramat Shlomo and Ramot will form huge enclave on the northern border of Jerusalem to isolate and separate the western  villages from the city, to cut geographically the  connection between those villages and to encircle Jerusalem by bypass roads to serve settlements and settlers.

Member of the Executive Committee of the PLO and Head of the Jerusalem Affairs, Ahmed Qurei,  stressed  that the permits will swallow more lands in the town and deprive Palestinian citizens in Beit Hanina and Shuafat towns of their lands. They will not be able any more to invest those lands for their favor.

In the shadow of US efforts to make peace, Israeli occupation continues to violate all Palestinian legitimate rights, yet no one cares, Qurie said.