BICOM

Israel’s government yesterday gave approval for the construction of 2,500 new homes in the West Bank.

The new plans approve marketing lands for the immediate construction of 909 homes and hastening the planning process for another 1,642 homes. The announcement was approved by both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Netanyahu announced the decision by saying: “I have agreed with the defence minister on 2,500 units in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]. We are building, and will continue to build.”

Lieberman said that the new construction will “provide a response to the housing needs” of the area.

A statement from the Defence Ministry emphasised that the majority of the planned housing will be located within major settlement blocs, which Israel envisages remaining under its sovereignty in any future peace deal with the Palestinians. In particular, much of the housing is slated for Ariel and Givat Ze’ev, which borders Jerusalem. However, the plans also include some homes in more isolated settlements such as Beit El and Migron.

Lieberman also announced plans for a new Palestinian industrial park in Tarkumiya, north of Hebron. He said that the complex, which will include warehouses and fuel storage centres, will be one of the largest such industrial zones in Palestinian territory.

Yesterday’s announcement comes just days into Donald Trump’s presidency. Most media reports suggest that the announcement was intended to take immediate advantage of Trump’s more tolerant approach to Israeli West Bank construction in comparison to his predecessor Barack Obama.

When asked about the announcement yesterday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer refused to approve or condemn the move. He said: “We’re going to have a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and we’ll continue to discuss that.”

Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood released a statement in response to a parliamentary written question on the subject. It read: “It is the long held view of the British government that settlements built on occupied Palestinian territory are contrary to international law and an obstacle to a two-state solution and we condemn them.”