Johnathan Paoli
Israel has proceeded to appropriate several tracts of land abutting a major Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, following the intensification of attacks within the region.
The Israeli Defence Ministry’s Civil Administration announced the decision on Thursday, and said that the tracts amounted to 2,640 dunams, or 652 acres and would be designated as part of the Maale Adumim settlement, east of Jerusalem.
Historically, the West Bank is among territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and where Palestinians, with international support, seek statehood.
While most world governments deem the settlements illegal, Israel disputes that, citing historical claims to the West Bank and describing it as a security bulwark.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has promoted the settlements, creating friction with the United States as the allies close ranks over Israel’s war with Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Last week, U.S. Secretary
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