- Title: Netanyahu set to approve first West Bank settlement in 20 years
- Date: 30th March 2017
- Summary: AMONA, WEST BANK (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ISRAELI POLICE FORCES EVACUATING SETTLERS FROM SYNAGOGUE
- Embargoed: 13th April 2017 12:31
- Keywords: Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Amona Settlement Palestinians West Bank
- Location: JERUSALEM/AMONA, WEST BANK
- City: JERUSALEM/AMONA, WEST BANK
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0026A5J5MV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected to sign off on Thursday (March 30) on building the first new settlement in the occupied West Bank for two decades, even as he negotiates with Washington on a possible curb on settlement activity.
Netanyahu was due to convene his security cabinet later in the day to approve the new enclave, government officials said.
He made the pledge in the run-up to the eviction in February of 40 families from the West Bank settlement of Amona. Israel's Supreme Court said the dwellings had to be razed because they were built illegally on privately owned Palestinian land.
Israel and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump are in discussions on limiting the construction of settlements, which are built on land Palestinians seek for a state.
A new settlement would be the first built in the West Bank since 1999. About 400,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank which is also home to 2.8 million Palestinians. Another 200,000 Israelis live in East Jerusalem. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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