Israel builds 13,000 houses in settlements
By KUNA
Construction in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem increased noticeably in the past three months, as the building of 13,000 new houses was approved, said an Israeli paper Thursday.
According to data from the Peace Now organization, work began on at least 1, 712 new housing units, said Yedioth Ahronoth.
There are large construction projects in about 65 settlements, it said.
“In Kedumim, 76 new units have been started since the end of the freeze, in Revava 60, in Elazar 58, in Karmei Tzur 42 and in Neria 30,” it pointed out.
“In Shaked, 25 housing units are under construction, in both Paduel and Rehan 24, in Ateret 18, in Susia 15 and Maaleh Michmash 11. And the list goes on,” it added.
“All this construction has begun since the direct talks with the Palestinians broke down and Israel decided not to extend the moratorium on West Bank settlement construction,” the paper said.
“The results are clear to all. Thousands more Jews will live in the West Bank when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas finally sit down to talk face to face, if it ever happens,” the paper quoted the organization as saying.
