Israel said to okay initial plans for over 2,000 new settlement homes
Plan would see about 2,200 homes built in Jewish settlements east of Ramallah, but must pass several other hurdles before approval
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Israel last month gave preliminary approval to development plans that could build more than 2,000 homes in West Bank settlements over the next 15 years, according to documents obtained Monday.
The plans came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington for a high-profile meeting with US President Barack Obama.
Official records from an October 21 planning committee meeting showed that officials gave preliminary approval to build about 2,200 homes in several existing settlements east of the Palestinian city of Ramallah by 2030. The plans were first reported by the Haaretz daily.
Hagit Ofran of the anti-settlement group Peace Now said that it could be years before any of the homes are built, since the plan must pass several other phases before construction can begin. Still, she claimed it shows the “vision” that Netanyahu’s government has for the area.
The Palestinians seek all of the West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War, as part of a future independent state. The international community opposes settlements as illegal or illegitimate and says they hinder efforts for Palestinian statehood.
The announcement, likely timed to coincide with the meeting, could place a pall over Netanyahu’s meeting with Obama.
On Monday, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution in remarks alongside Obama. Settlement construction and US doubts over Israel’s commitment to reaching a peace deal with the Palestinians have been a point of contention between Washington and Jerusalem.
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said he did not know if the settlement announcement had come up in private talks between the leaders.
He added that it was unlikely the sides would reach peace — or even engage in peace talks — in the next 14 months.
The Times of Israel Community.