– US Vice President Joe Biden condemned a new Israeli plan to build hundreds of homes in disputed east Jerusalem Tuesday, casting a cloud over a high-profile visit that had been aimed at repairing ties with the Jewish state and kickstarting Mideast peace talks. Israel's Interior Ministry said late Tuesday that it had approved construction of 1,600 new apartments, an embarrassing setback for Biden after a day of warm meetings with top Israeli officials. Biden issued a harshly worded statement several hours later criticizing the Israeli move, saying its timing was especially troubling by coming on the eve of a new round of US-mediated peace talks. “The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now,” Biden said. “We must build an atmosphere to support negotiations, not complicate them,” he added, warning that “unilateral action taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations.” Interior Ministry spokeswoman Efrat Orbach said the new homes would be built in Ramat Shlomo, an existing neighborhood for ultra-Orthodox Jews. She noted that there is a 60-day appeals period, indicating that the decision could yet be changed. But Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the move soured the negotiating climate. The two sides agreed this week to begin indirect negotiations under the mediation of US envoy George Mitchell. “With such an announcement, how can you build trust? This is destroying our efforts to work with Mr. Mitchell,” Erekat said. “It's a really disastrous situation. I hope that this will be an eye-opener for all in the international community.” The Israeli announcement may have been the result of internal politics. A spokesman for Netanyahu said he was caught off guard by the announcement, raising the possibility that the Interior Ministry – run by a hardline religious party – had not coordinated the news with the Israeli leader or had even tried to embarrass him. Earlier in the day, Biden assured Israelis they can count on US backing as peace efforts resume. “The United States will always stand with those who take risks for peace,” Biden said, telling Netanyahu, “you're prepared to do that.”
