Peace Now: 17% increase in Israel’s settlement construction under Trump
MiddleEast Monitor, March 26, 2018
Construction
of settlements in the occupied West Bank surged 17 per cent during the first
year of US President Donald Trump’s presidency, Israeli monitoring group Peace
Now has said.
of settlements in the occupied West Bank surged 17 per cent during the first
year of US President Donald Trump’s presidency, Israeli monitoring group Peace
Now has said.
 |
|
Construction
workers build illegal settlements in East Jerusalem
[Sliman Khader/Apaimages]
|
According
to data released by the group, Israel began construction of 2,783 settlement
homes in 2017, 17 per cent more than the annual average since Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu took office in 2009.
The vast
majority of the new “homes” – 78 per cent – were in settlements which would
likely have to be evacuated if a Palestinian state was established, Peace Now
added.
majority of the new “homes” – 78 per cent – were in settlements which would
likely have to be evacuated if a Palestinian state was established, Peace Now
added.
Additionally,
eight per cent were in illegal outposts which are not authorised by the state.
eight per cent were in illegal outposts which are not authorised by the state.
Trump has
taken a softer line on Israeli construction in the occupied West Bank than his
predecessors.
taken a softer line on Israeli construction in the occupied West Bank than his
predecessors.
“The
steady pace of construction and building deep in the West Bank attest to Prime
Minister Netanyahu’s steadfast abetting of the settlement enterprise,” the
report said. “It is also apparent that the new US presidency in 2017 had no
marginal deterrent effect on these Israeli unilateral moves.”
steady pace of construction and building deep in the West Bank attest to Prime
Minister Netanyahu’s steadfast abetting of the settlement enterprise,” the
report said. “It is also apparent that the new US presidency in 2017 had no
marginal deterrent effect on these Israeli unilateral moves.”
