Israel to continue settlements despite peace talks

Occupied Jerusalem: Two days after talks with the Palestinians resumed, Israel says construction for Jews in disputed Occupied east Jerusalem will proceed on schedule.

Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser acknowledges it will take a couple of years before construction begins on a contentious building project that caused a serious rift with Washington.

But Hauser said Monday that projects will be built in other Occupied east Jerusalem neighborhoods where construction bids already have been issued.

The Palestinians want Occupied east Jerusalem as capital of a future state and see continued Israeli construction there as undermining their claim.

Indirect talks with the Palestinians officially were launched over the weekend after a 17-month breakdown.