Extra millions of USDs for illegal Jewish settlements

Days of Palestine, Jerusalem -Israeli government approved on Sunday some $18m in additional financing for illegal Israeli Jewish settlements in occupied West Bank.

The decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing cabinet will see some 70 million shekels ($18 million, 16 million euros) allocated to settlement-related spending.

According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the amount is in addition to an already allocated $88 million.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace as they are built on land Palestinians view as part of their future state.

Netanyahu’s government is however considered the most right-wing in Israeli history, with key members of his cabinet strong supporters of settlement building and opponents of a Palestinian state.

Speaking at the start of the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu called it “an assistance plan to strengthen communities” in the West Bank, saying it would “strengthen security, assist small businesses and encourage tourism.”

Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erekat called the move a “slap in the face of the international community.”

“Israel is doing everything possible to sabotage every effort to achieve a just and lasting peace,” he said in a statement.

Besides the settlement money, the government was also expected to approve the allocation of 80 million shekels ($20.7 million, 18.3 million euros) to ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminaries.

The ultra-Orthodox establishment also wields significant political power in Israel and its politicians have often played a kingmaker role.

Source Article from http://www.daysofpalestine.com/news/extra-millions-usds-illegal-jewish-settlements/

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