Israel has given the green light to build 764 more homes in three Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision that is likely to further inflame tensions in the Palestinian territory.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said today that the Higher Planning Council, the body in charge of settlement construction plans in the West Bank, approved 478, 230 and 56 housing units in the settlements of Hashmonaim, Beitar Ilit and Givat Zeev, respectively.
Smotrič, who advocates for settlement policy and is a settler himself, called the council's decision part of "a clear strategic move to strengthen settlements and ensure continuity of life, security and growth."
Today's decision brings the total number of housing units approved in the West Bank since Smotric took office to 51.370.
Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, and the UN Security Council has adopted numerous resolutions against their expansion.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the move, saying the approval was part of a settlement policy aimed at dragging the region into a new cycle of violence and war.
He asked that the US administration pressure Israel to stop settlement expansion "in order to ensure the success of President Donald Trump's efforts and undertakings to stop the war and achieve stability in the region."
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