2,000 new Israeli homes in West Bank up for approval
Some of the structures to be submitted for approval by the Civil Administration's Supreme Planning Council next week are located outside existing settlements, including 200 housing units intended to house those evicted from Amona.
About three months after its last meeting, the Civil Administration's Supreme Planning Council is expected to approve the construction of thousands of housing units throughout the West Bank next week. About 2,000 units are being submitted for approval, and not all of them are within existing settlement blocs.
A plan to build 200 housing units in Amihai, which is supposed to house those evicted from the illegal Amona outpost, will be discussed. In addition, building permits will be discussed for the Kerem Re'im outpost, located in the Talmonim bloc.
However, the government is facing criticism that significant portions of proposed building have been excluded from the proposals to be examined next week. Bayit Yehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich tweeted: "Netanyahu has removed most of the significant plans from the list. I don't know what we'll do, but I don't think we can live with it. We'll have to come together and think."
The Yesha Council released a statement that expressed its reservations: "We welcome the renewal of the planning council's work, but unfortunately, the heads of the local authorities have not been involved in the preparation of the plan, and there are many plans lacking to meet the large need for settlement.
"After a long period of disrupted planning work, the planning inventory is running out, and there are dozens of other programs that have completed the required professional process and are waiting for debate and approval by the council. These plans should be added to the council's discussion at the earliest possible date."
The Supreme Planning Council has not convened since February, following the instructions of Prime Minister Netanyahu instructions shortly after the swearing-in of US President Donald Trump.
The council will also consider building in the settlements of Ma'ale Adumim, Ma'ale Michmash, Neve Tzuf, Pnei Hever, Einav, Beit El and Kfar Tapuah.
(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
