JERUSALEM, Aug 26: The construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, seen as a major barrier to US-backed peace talks, has nearly doubled since 2007, an Israeli watchdog said on Tuesday.

In a report published during the visit of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the settlement watchdog Peace Now said settlement building in the first half of 2008 was double that in the same period last year.

“Construction in the settlements has increased by a factor of 1.8 by comparison to the same period last year,” the group said, citing government statistics.

“The housing ministry initiated 433 new housing units during the period of January to May 2008, compared to just 240 units during the period January to May 2007,” it said.Another 125 structures, including 30 permanent houses, have been built in the so-called “outposts” wildcat settlements considered illegal under Israel law which Israel is committed to removing as part of the peace process.—AFP