Israel approves new West Bank settlement in 20 years

Palestinian, UN alarm over approval; US issues caution

Israel has approved the establishment of its first new Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank in two decades, report agencies.
The security cabinet voted unanimously late on Thursday to begin construction on a hilltop known as "Geulat Zion", near the Palestinian city of Nablus.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians and the United Nations yesterday condemned the Israeli cabinet's approval of the first officially sanctioned new settlement in the occupied West Bank.
It will be used to house some 40 families whose homes were cleared from an unauthorised settlement outpost.
Palestinian officials have condemned the move and called on the international community to intervene.
It comes despite US President Donald Trump asking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month to "hold back" on settlement construction.
The Israeli authorities approved thousands of new homes in existing settlements after Trump took office in January.
More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem - land the Palestinians claim for a future state. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
There are also 97 settler outposts - built without official authorisation from the Israeli government - across the West Bank, according to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now.
A spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres, expressed "disappointment and alarm" at the announcement.
"The secretary general has consistently stressed that there is no Plan B for Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace and security. He condemns all unilateral actions that, like the present one, threaten peace and undermine the two-state solution," Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
It will be the first entirely new settlement that an Israeli government has approved since 1991, the anti-settlement NGO Peace Now said.
In recent years, construction had focused instead on expanding existing settlements.
The White House also cautioned Israel on large-scale settlement building, refraining from criticism of a major project just approved but warning further expansion could block peace efforts.
"While the existence of settlements is not in itself an impediment to peace, further unrestrained settlement activity does not help advance peace," a White House official said yesterday.
The Israeli cabinet gave unanimous backing late Thursday to the first officially sanctioned new settlement in the occupied West Bank in more than 20 years.
The White House official said that settlement, at Amona, was in the pipeline during Barack Obama's administration, and refrained from criticizing the decision.

 

Israel approves new West Bank settlement in 20 years

Palestinian, UN alarm over approval; US issues caution

Israel has approved the establishment of its first new Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank in two decades, report agencies. The security cabinet voted unanimously late on Thursday to begin construction on a hilltop known as Geulat Zion, near the Palestinian city of Nablus. Meanwhile, the Palestinians and the United Nations yesterday condemned the Israeli cabinets approval of the first officially sanctioned new settlement in the occupied West Bank. It will be used to house some 40 families whose homes were cleared from an unauthorised settlement outpost. Palestinian officials have condemned the move and called on the international community to intervene. It comes despite US President Donald Trump asking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month to hold back on settlement construction. The Israeli authorities approved thousands of new homes in existing settlements after Trump took office in January. More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israels 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem - land the Palestinians claim for a future state. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. There are also 97 settler outposts - built without official authorisation from the Israeli government - across the West Bank, according to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now. A spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres, expressed disappointment and alarm at the announcement. The secretary general has consistently stressed that there is no Plan B for Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace and security. He condemns all unilateral actions that, like the present one, threaten peace and undermine the two-state solution, Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. It will be the first entirely new settlement that an Israeli government has approved since 1991, the anti-settlement NGO Peace Now said. In recent years, construction had focused instead on expanding existing settlements. The White House also cautioned Israel on large-scale settlement building, refraining from criticism of a major project just approved but warning further expansion could block peace efforts. While the existence of settlements is not in itself an impediment to peace, further unrestrained settlement activity does not help advance peace, a White House official said yesterday. The Israeli cabinet gave unanimous backing late Thursday to the first officially sanctioned new settlement in the occupied West Bank in more than 20 years. The White House official said that settlement, at Amona, was in the pipeline during Barack Obamas administration, and refrained from criticizing the decision.