Israel approves new settler building permits in West Bank

JERUSALEM — Israel approved on Monday plans to construct thousands of new homes in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, multiple Israeli media reported.

According to the Hebrew-language Haaretz newspaper, the Higher Planning Council of the Civil Administration, an Israeli body that approves construction in the West Bank, permitted 5,623 new housing units.

In Eli, where a pair of Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis last week, 1,057 new homes were approved. The plan to build new homes in this settlement was initially announced last week by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who described it as "a response" to the attack. The other housing units are planned to be built in various settlements throughout the West Bank.

Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog, said in a news release that following the new approvals, 2023 has emerged as the highest year on record in terms of approval of new construction.

The move is expected to further escalate tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as their capital. Israeli settlers cite historic Jewish connections to the land.

The settlements are located in the West Bank, a territory seized by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war. Despite facing international criticism, Israel has maintained control over the area.

Palestinians and most of the international community consider the expansion of the settlements as a major hurdle to peace. Peace talks that had been brokered by the United States have been frozen since 2014.

"The government is moving forward with its aggression and open war against the Palestinian people," Wasel Abu Yousef, a Palestinian official in the West Bank, said. "We affirm that all settler colonialism in all the occupied Palestinian territories is illegitimate and illegal."

The US was "deeply troubled" by the move, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday, adding that US officials had made clear publicly and privately to Israel their opposition to moves that advance settlements.

Despite the criticism, the US has taken little action against Israel. In a sign of its displeasure, the White House has not yet invited Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit, as is customary following Israeli elections.

Xinhua - Agencies