Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he ordered his government to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, providing an early test for the administration of US president-elect Joe Biden, who has been a fierce critic of projects built on land the Palestinians claim for a future state.
The government will approve or advance plans for 800 homes in several different settlements, including in one the Israeli government has yet to formally recognise, Mr Netanyahu said on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).
“We’re here to stay,” he said on Facebook. “We’re continuing to build the land of Israel.”
The announcement comes as Mr Netanyahu courts right-wing votes in an upcoming election, and rushes to offer inducements before close ally US President Donald Trump leaves office. Recent polls suggest Mr Netanyahu will need to retain and expand his support among the right-wing and religious camps if he is to fight off his challenger and retain his post as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
Mr Netanyahu’s path to forming a coalition is narrowing, according to a poll released on Monday by Israel’s Radio 103FM. Without the New Hope party led by a former ally-turned-rival, Gideon Saar, and another right-wing party headed by Naftali Bennett, his coalition has only 46 seats. He needs 61 to form a government.
Mr Saar on Monday urged Mr Netanyahu to recognise Jewish settlements in the West Bank that are considered illegal under Israeli law.
Read the article by Felicia Schwartz and Dov Lieber in The Australian.