In Israel, The Jerusalem planning and building committee has approved construction of four new residential buildings in the eastern part of the city, despite international calls for a cessation of activity in the heavily Palestinian area.<br/><br/>According to Israeli daily Haaretz, the buildings, which are intended to house 24 families, will be built in the contentious area east of the Old City walls.<br/><br/>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared last week a plan to construct an additional 700 apartments in East Jerusalem, a move the White House called another blow to stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Netanyahu did not include East Jerusalem in the temporary construction freeze he declared weeks ago, saying the slowdown applies only to the West Bank.