New homes are about to be built in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli government admitted that construction of 1,500 housing units at Ramat Shlomo has been given approval. The building is one of four projects approved by the government.

Analysts believe the move by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an attempt to ease anger by Israeli citizens over the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners who had been convicted of crimes related to the murder of Israelis.

The permits also build public buildings and gardens in the same region as the new housing units.

An estimated 200,000 Israeli citizens live in East Jerusalem with double that number of Palestinians.