- Israel is ramping up settlement building in the contested West Bank.
- Notably, some of the newly approved settlements would be deep in the West Bank, a contested territory under Israeli control where most Palestinians live.
- The Trump administration has pushed Israel to limit — but not end — settlement building.
Israel is once again ramping up settlement building in the contested West Bank — and it could have dire implications for President Donald Trump’s plans for a peace deal.
A new report from anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now, cited by the Associated Press, noted that 6,742 settlement homes have been advanced this year. Comparatively, 2,629 homes were approved in 2016 and 1,982 in 2015.
Notably, some of the newly approved settlements would be deep in the West Bank, a contested territory under Israeli control where most Palestinians live. The final status of the West Bank, as well as Gaza and East Jerusalem, would likely be determined in peace talks.
The Trump administration has pushed Israel to limit — but not end — settlement building.
Read the article by Peter Jacobs in the Business Insider Australia.