CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - On Tuesday, Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim (Kadima) denied remarks by Jerusalem city manager Yair Maayan that the government was delaying construction of hundreds of apartments in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem.

Maayan told members of the Knesset Economics Committee Monday that the government was holding up construction because of its negotiations with the Palestinians, who object to expanding Jewish neighborhoods, even within Jerusalem's municipal boundaries.

Speaking on Israel Radio, Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim denied Maayan's allegations.

"There is no delay, limitation or suspension of the construction of Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem," Boim said.

"We are building all over Jerusalem, within its municipal borders," he said. "What people call delays are, in fact, final stages of coordination with City Hall."

According to Boim, the government is preparing to build the infrastructure prior to issuing bids for 750 apartments in Pisgat Ze'ev and additional 370 for Har Homa on top of the 350 apartments for which bids have already been issued.

Sources: Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post