Jerusalem Mayor Delays Demolition Plan

The mayor of Jerusalem agreed Tuesday to delay a plan to demolish some Palestinian homes to build a complex that would provide new apartments for the residents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked the mayor, Nir Barkat, to allow more time to reach an understanding with the residents of the neighborhood, in East Jerusalem just outside the Old City walls. Mr. Barkat has been negotiating with the Palestinians there, who are living in housing that is illegal under Israeli law. The residents have rejected the plan, fearing that once homes are destroyed, Jewish settlers will be moved in. There are Jewish settler projects on either side of the area.