Israel okays 700 Palestinian homes, 6,000 settler homes

Israel okays 700 Palestinian homes, 6,000 settler homes
July 31, 2019, 9:08 am

It was not immediately clear if all of the homes will be new construction or if some already exist and are receiving retroactive approval. (Reuters)

Israeli ministers have given rare approval to 700 Palestinian homes in areas in the West Bank under the country’s full control, while also approving 6,000 homes for settlers, an Israeli official said on Wednesday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the approval by Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday ahead of an expected visit by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

It was not immediately clear if all of the homes will be new construction or if some already exist and are receiving retroactive approval.

The approvals are for the part of the West Bank known as Area C, which is under Israeli security and civilian control and where its settlements are located.

Area C accounts for more than 60 percent of the West Bank, the Palestinian territory that would form part of a future Palestinian state under the so-called two-state solution.

Israel rarely grants approvals for Palestinian construction in that area.

The plan for Palestinians, though relatively small and far outweighed by the new settlement homes, could allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to argue he is making efforts in favor of Kushner’s long-awaited peace plan.

Details on Kushner’s visit, expected this week, were not yet made available.

He has said his plan will not mention a two-state solution because “it means one thing to the Israelis, it means one thing to the Palestinians.”

AFP, Jerusalem

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