Trump invites Israel’s Netanyahu to February talks:New apartments under construction in the Israeli settlement of Har Homa in east Jerusalem on January 17, 2017 © AFP/File / THOMAS COEX

Israel approves settlement homes following Trump inauguration

Israel has approved hundreds of new settlement homes in occupied East Jerusalem, after the staunch pro-Israel US President Donald Trump took office.

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Meir Turgeman told AFP: “Now we can finally build.”

Israel’s PM reportedly delayed approval given the opposition of Barack Obama, who infuriated Israel by allowing a UN resolution against settlements to pass.

Settlements in East Jerusalem are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Mr Trump had invited him to a meeting in Washington in February, on a date yet to be decided.

A statement said the two leaders held a “very warm” telephone conversation in which they discussed issues including the Iran nuclear deal and the peace process with the Palestinians. READ MORE

Source:http://www.bbc.com/