Wednesday October 27, 2021
Despite criticism from the USA
Israel is pushing ahead with the construction of settlements
The harsh criticism from the United States is having no effect: Israel approves the construction of thousands of new homes in the West Bank. The new government is thus pushing the controversial settlement policy and continuing the course of its predecessor Netanyahu.
Despite clear criticism from the US about the continuation of Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, Israel has finally approved the construction of thousands of residential units. 3130 residential units in settlements have been approved, a spokesman for the responsible authority confirmed. On Sunday, the approval of around 1000 housing units for Palestinians in the West Bank should be discussed.
The US State Department on Tuesday clearly criticized the settlement expansion by the new Israeli government. One was “deeply concerned” about the latest announcements, said Foreign Office spokesman Ned Price in Washington. “We firmly oppose the expansion of settlements.” This runs counter to efforts to reduce tensions and affects the prospect of a two-state solution.
A spokesman for Israeli housing minister Seew Elkin announced on Sunday that tenders for the marketing of more than 1,300 apartments had been published. These include 729 apartments in the settler town of Ariel and 346 in the Beit El settlement.
During the Six Day War in 1967, Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem, among others. Around 600,000 Israelis now live there in more than 200 settlements. In 2016, the UN Security Council called these settlements a violation of international law and called on Israel to stop all settlement activities. The Palestinians want to establish their own state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
The new Israeli government under Naftali Bennett of the far-right Jamina party was only sworn in in mid-June, thus ending the era of Benjamin Netanyahu. The new coalition is supported by a total of eight parties from the right to the left, including an Arab party for the first time.