OCCUPPIED TERRITORIES

Reuters: Israel Plans 323 New Homes at W.Bank Settlements

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel announced Thursday it will go ahead with plans for construction of hundreds of new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank , the second time in a month it has defied a U.S.-backed peace plan on this issue.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat condemned the project as well as Israel's decision Wednesday to press on with construction of a barrier in the West Bank despite a United Nations resolution demanding it be torn down.