Critics consider Givat Hamatos a particularly problematic area to develop because, along with another contentious plan in an area known as E-1, it would hinder access to east Jerusalem from the West Bank. The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
In a separate move, Israel's Housing Ministry said it would soon issue tenders for 1,000 new homes in a number of settlements, some deep inside the West Bank. Those settlements are Givat Zeev, Beitar Illit, Karnei Shomron, Geva Benyamin, and Emanuel.
Seeking bids for construction is the final stage of approval, and Hagit Ofran of anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now estimated it would take six months to a year before building begins.
The projects approved Wednesday were all among the plans announced by Netanyahu following the Nov. 29 U.N. vote.
Ofran said the Jerusalem Planning Committee is to discuss Thursday approving an additional 1,150 housing units in the east Jerusalem settlement of Gilo.
Also Wednesday, Israel charged an Arab citizen with attempted murder in connection with the bombing of a Tel Aviv bus last month.
Mohammed Mafarja, 18, was accused of planting a bomb on the bus during Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli indictment, he carried out the attack in solidarity with Gaza Palestinians and to avenge Israel's assassination of Hamas military commander Ahmad Jabari. The bomb exploded minutes after Mafarja disembarked, wounding 27 people.
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