JERUSALEM ? An Israeli monitoring group says Israel stepped up settlement building in the West Bank last year ? a sticking point in the deadlock in peace talks with the Palestinians.
The dovish group Peace Now says Israel began construction of 1,850 homes in West Bank settlements in 2011, about 20 percent higher than the previous year.
The 2010 figures were depressed by a 10-month new construction freeze aimed at encouraging negotiations. Peace Now says that once the freeze expired in late 2010, Israel quickly resumed construction.
Israel's government has not yet released its 2011 numbers. Government spokesman Mark Regev says Israel is showing more "restraint" than ever before.
The Palestinians demand a halt in construction before resuming peace talks.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) ? The Palestinian president says talks between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators in Jordan provide an "important opportunity" for reviving full peace negotiations.
Mahmoud Abbas said hopes for success are "weak." Even so, "we must take this chance," Abbas told reporters after meeting Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday.
Chief negotiators from the two sides sat down in Jordan's capital, Amman, last week. It was the first such session in more than a year. Talks have been stalled, mostly over the issue of construction in Israeli settlements.
Abbas briefed the king, who is scheduled to meet President Barack Obama at the White House on Jan. 14.
Abdullah said that meeting would focus on restarting serious Mideast negotiations.
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