"Israel" advances plans of 4,500 illegal settlement units in W. Bank
A report reveals Israeli plans to advance 4,427 housing units for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
According to an Israeli non-governmental organization, "Israel" advanced plans on Thursday for 4,427 illegal settlement units for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The Civil Administration's high planning committee issued final clearance to 2,791 units and preliminary approval to another 1,636 units.
The news of potential expansion comes as Israeli crimes in the West Bank continue and just one day after veteran Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in cold blood by the IOF in Jenin.
The US has stated that it "strongly" opposes additional buildings in the West Bank.
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter claimed last Friday that Biden's administration "strongly opposes the expansion of Israeli settlements, which exacerbates tensions and undermines trust between the parties. Israel's program of expanding settlements deeply damages the prospects for a two-state solution."
The expansion of settlements has been taking place in the West Bank since 1967.
Settlement expansion surged under former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Trump's administration, and the current PM Naftali Bennett is the former head of a settlement lobby himself.
According to Ofran, Bennett's government claimed it had different plans than Netanyahu's but follows similar policies.
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, of Bennett's right-wing Yamina party, declared Thursday's announcement a "day of celebration for the settler movement."
Yesha Council Chairman David Elhayani claims there is a "growing need" for settlements as the Israeli settlers increase in occupied Palestine in a bid to eradicate the Arabhood of the country.
This comes as about half a million Israeli settlers live in the occupied Palestinian territories, with many more even wanting to move there, Elhayani added, not taking into consideration the rights and needs of the Palestinians as they uproot them from their lands.
Prior to this, the Israeli army demolished at least 18 structures in the occupied West Bank, including 12 residential buildings, following a Supreme Court decision that would force around 1,000 Palestinians out of an area the Israelis had designated a firing zone.