Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Israel's West Bank Settlements Surged in 2019, Watchdog Says

Associated Press

   JERUSALEM - Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank surged in
   2019, a watchdog group said in a report Tuesday, maintaining a rapid
   pace that has drawn strength from the friendly policies of the Trump
   administration.

   Peace Now, a monitoring group that opposes the settlements, said that
   Israel's average annual construction rate has risen 25%since President
   Donald Trump took office in 2017.

   Perhaps more significantly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
   government last year approved plans to build thousands of new homes,
   laying the groundwork for a sharp spike in construction in the coming
   years. That included an explosion in plans for new settlement projects
   approved early this year.

   "In my opinion, they're trying to take advantage of the window of
   opportunity that they have under the Trump administration, knowing that
   it might change in a few months," said Hagit Ofran, a researcher for
   the group. "There was no such supportive administration for the
   settlements previously, ever."

.