Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the “immediate” construction of 300 settler homes in the West Bank. The approval came after the Israeli High Court earlier upheld a demolition order for two structures being built illegally in the Beit El settlement.
Western nations have called on Israel to halt such projects as Settlements in the West Bank are viewed as major impediments to peace negotiations with Palestinians.
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Palestinian did not immediately react to the announcement.
“The United States continues to view the settlements as illegitimate and we strongly oppose steps to advance construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, ” State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.
“Settlement expansion threatens the two-state solution and calls into question Israel’s commitment to a negotiated resolution to the conflict.”
The relations between Israel and the United States, particularly over the recent nuclear deal with Iran are already strained .
According to the statement from Mr Netanyahu’s office the 300 units in the West Bank had been promised three years ago following the demolition of other homes in the Beit El settlement.
“The immediate construction of 300 homes in Beit El has been authorized, ” The statement said, adding that planning for another 504 homes in annexed East Jerusalem had also been approved.
