August 3, 2019

Andrew Campbell 

Government of Israel approved on a construction proposal of more than 700 housing unit for Palestinians in the West Bank.

An Israeli official, speaking to define the closed-door conference on condition of anonymity, said the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the suggestion. It seemed timed to coincide with a visit by the son-in-law and chief Mideast official of U.S. President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, expected this week in the region.

Approximately 60 percent of the West Bank where Israel exercises completes control and where most Jewish settlements are situated would be the permits for building in Area C. The government of Netanyahu has endorsed the building of tens of thousands of settler dwellings, but Palestinian building permits are highly uncommon.

In Areas A and B, which include the primary Palestinian towns as well as cities of the West Bank, the Western-backed Palestinian Authority controls civilian affairs.

In the Mideast War of 1967, Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians are seeking these regions as part of a future state. Most of the international community views Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international regulations and as a barrier to a two-state conflict resolution.

Israeli ambassador, David Friedman, told the New York Times recently that Israel had the "right" to annex some of the West Bank. Both settlement critics and supporters claim the friendly approach of the White House has promoted a settlement activity jump.

Photo:Webshot.