Israel approves independence for 13 West Bank settlements

Palestinian family goes out for dinner, returns to find Israeli settlers took over home

The settlers claimed to have legally purchased the house, near Hebron's Jewish enclave, entering it after the family left to attend an iftar dinner. IDF troops prevented the family from entering the home as settlers emptied it of their belongings

Israel Recognizes 13 Communities in Judea and Samaria

. Till now, the neighborhoods — some decades-old — were part of already-existing “mother communities.” “We continue, with God’s help, to lead a revolution of normalization and regulation in the settlement,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who spearheaded the initiative. “This is another important step on the way to actual sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.” The newly designated villages — spread across the Binyamin, Samaria, Gush Etzion, …

Palestinians denounce Israeli recognition of new West Bank settlements

Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Ministry says the decision by Israel’s security cabinet was a show of “disregard for international legitimacy and its resolutions”

By Dana Karni and Tim Lister, CNN Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed that the security cabinet approved settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, as well as a proposal for the “voluntary” emigration of Palestinians from Gaza. Smotrich confirmed Sunday that 13 areas in the West Bank would be separated from existing settlements and recognized as independent settlements. A statement sent by Smotrich’s office said the move com…

Palestinians slam Israeli move to expand West Bank settlements

The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned on Sunday an Israeli move to recognise more than a dozen illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, upgrading existing neighbourhoods to independent settlement status. The decision by Israel's security cabinet was a show of "disregard for international legitimacy and its resolutions", said a statement from the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry. The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is…

Israel's opposition to giving up control of the West Bank has intensified over fears of a repeat of a Hamas-style attack.