Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has approved a plan to build 455 housing units in settlement blocs in the occupied West Bank. Many countries, including the Netherlands, objected to the plan when it was announced last week. The proposal contravenes urgent appeals by the White House and the European Union to end construction of new houses in the West

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the Israeli plan is unacceptable; he says he will not return to the negotiating table until Israel implements an immediate ban on construction in the West Bank.

The United States envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell will travel to Isreal this week to discuss the settlement issue.

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