Israel bulldozes Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem

Israel courted international anger on Tuesday when it abruptly resumed its controversial policy of sending bulldozers into East Jerusalem to demolish Palestinian homes.

A Palestinian woman gestures in front of Israeli police officers as the home of her neighbours is razed in East Jerusalem Photo: REUTERS

After nine-months of restraint at the prompting of the United States, Israeliwrecking teams unexpectedly advanced into the city's Arab suburbs and razed six Palestinian-owned buildings.

The return of the bulldozers, seen by Palestinians as one of the most hated symbols of Israeli occupation, threatened to undermine President Barack Obama's finely-balanced efforts to resume full peace talks.