Israel Halts Housing Plan, OKs Talks

JERUSALEM — Israel on Monday put the brakes on a controversial plan to build new Jewish housing in traditionally Arab East Jerusalem and agreed to resume talks with the Palestinians on meeting commitments made under their interim peace deals.

The Palestinian Authority praised the moves as steps to restore confidence but stressed that a months-long deadlock on proceeding with final peace talks continued.

Israel’s Interior Ministry suspended a permit granted to Miami-based businessman Irving Moskowitz to build about 65 Jewish apartments in Ras al Amud, an Arab neighborhood, until an appeal against the project by two members of the Jerusalem City Council has been heard.

Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath said after talks with Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy on Monday that joint Israeli-Palestinian committees would renew talks on outstanding issues from a 1995 peace deal. They include the opening of Gaza Strip air and sea ports, a “safe passage” for Palestinians between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.