“Israel” Approves 300 Settler Units, Germany Slams Settlement Plan

Local Editor

"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday approved the "immediate" construction of 300 settler units in the occupied West Bank as his government came under pressure from right-wing Zionist settler groups.

"After consultations in the prime minister's office, the immediate construction of 300 ‘homes' in Beit El has been authorized," a statement from Netanyahu's office said, adding that planning for another 504 units in Occupied al-Quds had also been approved.

According to the statement, the 300 units in the West Bank had been promised three years ago following the demolition of other units in the Beit El settlement.

The move came after the "Israeli" High Court earlier Wednesday upheld a demolition order for two structures being built in the Beit El settlement in the occupied West Bank. The planned demolition had drawn protests from settler groups who clashed with police at the site.

Netanyahu had said he opposed the demolition of the units under construction, which began on Wednesday.

The prime minister holds only a one-seat majority in parliament following March elections and settler groups wield significant influence in his right-wing government.

On its part, Germany censured "Israel's" plans to construct more illegal settler units in the besieged West Bank as violating international law.

The German Foreign Ministry, in a statement released on Tuesday, said the Zionist entity's plans to build more than 1,000 new housing units on Palestinian territories scuttled the chances for the resumption of the Palestinian-"Israeli" talks and a possible deal between the two sides.

"The construction of settlements in occupied terrtories violates international law. This also hinders efforts to revive the peace process and threatens the basis of a two-state solution," the statement read.

It added, "Precisely now both sides are urgently called to build trust and refrain from unilateral and provocative actions. We warn that such steps would hamper chances for the resumption of peace negotiations."

"Israeli" settlement watchdog group Peace Now reported on July 23 that the "Israeli" military approved 541 new settlement units, retroactively legalized 228 existing units, and approved infrastructure for a plan that includes 296 settlement units in the occupied West Bank the previous day.

There are reports that the military also approved the construction of several industrial and non-industrial structures in the occupied lands.

"Israeli" settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law, though not by the "Israeli" government.

They are seen as further complicating peace negotiations aimed at leading to an independent Palestinian state. Talks have been stalled since last year.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team