JERUSALEM, June 1 -- Israeli Housing Ministry published a bid on Sunday for the construction of more than 800 apartment units in east Jerusalem.

    Israeli Housing Minister Zeev Boim has announced plans for the building of 763 'settler' housing units in Pisgat Zeev and 121 housing units at Har Homa, an area Palestinians refer to as Jabal Abu Ghneim.

    Both sites are located on lands captured by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War, and were incorporated into the municipal borders of Jerusalem in an act not recognized internationally.

    A spokesman said the new tenders were a part of steps the government was taking to "strengthen Jerusalem"
   
Israel's plan to build new apartments in disputed territory has drawn harsh criticism from the Palestinian side and the international community, including Israel's ally, the United States.

    The U.S. side said such construction is unconducive to peace efforts.

    "You know we, of course, respect the Americans and we always want to work in cooperation with them, but when it comes to Jerusalem it is our decision where to build and when to build," said Israeli spokesman Arieh Mekel.

Doesn't really help does it?