Jerusalem City Council Oks Demolition of 22 Palestinian Homes in East Jerusalem

The Jerusalem City Council on Monday approved a divisive redevelopment plan to demolish 22 Palestinian homes in Arab-dominated East Jerusalem, potentially reigniting a debate over Israeli construction on land it seized in 1967. The approval threatens to renew friction between Israel and the Obama administration just as the former is battling a surge of international pressure over its policies in the Gaza Strip. Obama has repeatedly asked Israel to refrain from building new projects in Arab-dominated neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, warning against any "provocations" that might derail American-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. So-called proximity talks, in which the United States serves as a go-between, began last month.