Government of Israel plans to build 3,000 homes in West Bank settlement
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Roshan Amiri
- . October 28, 2021
- . Update: October 28, 2021 7:37 pm
Israel–Israel has announced plans to build more residences for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank. The planning committee for the same gave its final approval for 1,800 housing units and preliminary approval for 1,344 others. This announcement came after a public rebuke of Israeli policy from US President Joe Biden’s administration.
This initiative is done to seek immediate condemnation from Palestinians, peace activists and neighbouring state of Jordan. The announcement from the Ministry of Construction and Housing in right-wing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government. It mentioned that tenders had been published for 1,355 homes in the occupied West Bank, which was seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War.
The new settlement homes are to be built in seven settlements, from the housing ministry, and add to the more than 2,000 settlement units that were announced last August. PM also expressed his concern over the continuation of Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
All settlements are illegal under international law, and they remain a major obstacle to peace of the country and must stop immediately so that balance can be restored in the society. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US was concerned about the housing plans. He called on Israel and the Palestinians to refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tension and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution.
However, European Union has consistently made clear that it will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders other than those agreed by both sides. Shortly after the settlement announcement, the Israeli defence ministry said it was issuing an additional 9,000 permits for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to work in the Israeli construction industry. On top of those, the goal is to add another 6,000 permits shortly.
