The Israeli government approved today, Monday, the construction of an additional 5,700 housing units for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, despite American pressure to halt the expansion of settlement activities. The High Planning Council in Israel has endorsed plans for the construction of housing units in various areas of the West Bank. Jewish settlement leaders praised the decision.
Shlomo Ne'eman, the mayor of Gush Etzion and head of the Yesha Council, stated, "I thank the Israeli government for the ongoing development of Israeli settlements. This is the best Zionist response to those who ask for our help, especially in such difficult times."
The Peace Now organization, which monitors settlement activity, stated, "The Israeli government is pushing us at an unprecedented pace towards the complete annexation of the West Bank."
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed that the United States is "deeply disturbed" by the decision, adding that American officials have made their opposition to the advancement of settlement construction clear to Israel both publicly and privately. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council remarked, "The expansion of settlements undermines the geographic viability of a two-state solution and exacerbates tensions, further damaging trust between the parties."
On another note, the Israeli army suspected today, Monday, "the involvement" of an Israeli soldier "in a violent confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians" over the weekend in the Palestinian village of Umm Safa. The army stated, "The Israeli police arrested the soldier and are investigating him."
