Israeli authorities have approved the construction of 1,936 new homes in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The High Planning Committee of the Israeli Civil Authority gave its approval during meetings Sunday and Monday, said in a statement the Israeli NGO Peace Now, which is closely monitoring this sensitive issue.
More specifically, this organization reported 1,150 projects approved for the deposit phase and 786 for the final validation phase, including 258 dwellings in Haresha, a settlement established on Palestinian "private land" which is subject to litigation.
In the context of elections
These announcements come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads an interim government because he is campaigning for legislative elections next March. "Although it has no clear mandate, this government acts as if nothing had happened and continues to promote harmful and unnecessary construction in the occupied territories," said the NGO.
Above all, since the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House, a key ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, the process has been in full swing. The colonies are however judged to be contrary to international law but the American administration announced a change of policy this fall and no longer considers them illegal. This decision was castigated by the Palestinian authorities, but welcomed by Benjamin Netanyahu who courted the electorate of the settlements in an attempt to win the elections of April and September last. No clear winner having been designated, a third election is to be held on March 2.
Acceleration since Trump's election
Colonization by Israel of the occupied West Bank and annexed East Jerusalem has continued under all Israeli governments since 1967. More than 600,000 Israeli settlers have settled in these territories, where nearly three million Palestinians live. Colonization has accelerated in recent years under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ally Donald Trump.
The latter changed its regional policy in favor of Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the Hebrew state and cutting funds for the Palestinians. According to data compiled by Peace Now, the number of approved housing units in the colonies since Donald Trump became president of the United States has almost doubled (+ 90%).
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