Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Israel to Go Ahead With Plans to Build 1,200 Homes in East Jerusalem Linda Gradstein JERUSALEM - Israel has announced it will go ahead with plans to build more than 1,200 new homes in east Jerusalem. Palestinians say the move will make a future Palestinian state impossible as it will divide between Bethlehem and east Jerusalem. The Israeli announcement could cause tension between Israel and the administration of U.S. president-elect Joe Biden. Israel announced bids for more than 1,200 homes in an area called Givat Hamatos, which is beyond the 1967 border. Israel says it is a neighborhood of Jerusalem, but Palestinians say it is a Jewish settlement built on land Israel occupied in 1967. .