By Khaled Abu Toameh, Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post—-
Jordan slammed Israel on Sunday, saying it “rejects and condemns” plans to build 1,355 housing units in the West Bank. Last week, the US expressed concern about Israeli plans to build 3,000 new homes in settlements, as well as the legalization of two illegal outposts.
Marketing tenders for the housing units were published on Sunday by the Israel Lands Authority and Construction and Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin. The announcement comes amid reports that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is under US pressure to freeze such plans.
The announcement includes 729 units in Ariel, 346 in Beit El, 102 in Elkana, 90 in Geva Binyamin, 57 in Emanuel, 22 in Karnei Shomron and one in Beitar Illit.
Elkin hailed the decision to market the new homes.
“As we promised, we delivered,” he said. “Strengthening and expanding Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is a necessary and very important thing in the vision of the Zionist enterprise. After a long period of stagnation in construction in Judea and Samaria, I welcome the marketing of over 1,000 housing units. I will continue to maintain Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria.”
Labor leader Merav Michaeli and Meretz head Nitzan Horowitz complained to Bennett on Sunday that they were tired of being surprised by decisions made by Defense Minister Benny Gantz and right-wing ministers. They are angry about Gantz’s decision to designate six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations, as well as the settlement construction decision. Continue Reading….
