- Title: Israel approves first new settler homes since suspending annexation
- Date: 14th October 2020
- Summary: MAALE ADUMIM SETTLEMENT, WEST BANK (FILE - JUNE 7, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN MAALE ADUMIM SETTLEMENT VARIOUS OF WORKERS BUILDING INSIDE THE SETTLEMENT VARIOUS OF TRUCK MOVING SAND AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL INSIDE MAALE ADUMIM SETTLEMENT
- Embargoed: 28th October 2020 15:02
- Keywords: Israel Palestinians USA annexation settlements
- Location: RAMALLAH, MAALE ADUMIM, WEST BANK
- City: RAMALLAH, MAALE ADUMIM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
- Reuters ID: LVA003D03PRUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israel approved more than 1,300 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday (October 14) in the first such go-ahead since it suspended annexation plans in the territory.
The decision drew an angry response from Palestinians, who seek to establish a state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
The construction could help mute criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from settler leaders, who are traditional allies.
They had bristled at the annexation suspension that helped pave the way for last month's deals to forge diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Israel's West Bank Civil Administration planning committee gave final approval for building 1,313 housing units in several settlements, it said in a statement. Plans for another 853 units were advanced but have not yet been given final approval.
The forum, which last held such a hearing eight months ago, was due to reconvene on Thursday to advance additional projects in settlements, its publicly available agenda showed.
Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog, said that in total the committee was set to move forward with projects comprising more than 4,000 new settler homes.
Most countries view settlements Israel has built in territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war as illegal and as an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians. The United States and Israel dispute this.
Israel cites historical and biblical links to the West Bank and around 450,000 of its settlers live there, among 3 million Palestinians.
(Production: Roleen Tafakji/Saed Hawari) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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