To Stave Off Opposition to Settlement Expansion, Bennett Gives Rare Approval for 800 Palestinian Homes
The move to approve construction in the West Bank's Area C, seen as part of the Israeli government's push to strengthen the PA's standing, also includes hundreds of settlement housing units, which Bennett wanted to push through before his upcoming meeting with Biden
Israel has given initial approval to advance construction of 863 housing units in Palestinian villages in Area C of the West Bank for the first time in years, in a move led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to also push through plans for more than 2,000 settlement homes.
An Israeli official said the Wednesday announcement on both parts of the plan was meant to legitimize settlement expansion, preparing for opposition by left-wing coalition partners. It is also seen by government officials as a "calculated risk" vis-à-vis the Biden administration.