U.S. criticizes Israeli plans to expand illegal West Bank settlements
Israel proposes to allocate nearly $200 million to expand settlement and outpost construction in the West Bank
WASHINGTON – The U.S. has criticized Israel’s plan to increase funding for illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said the move imperils prospects to achieve a two-state solution and worsens confidence between Israelis and Palestinians.
He was commenting on the Israeli proposal to allocate nearly $200 million to expand settlement and outpost construction in the West Bank.
Israeli non-governmental organization Peace Now recently claimed that Tel Aviv was moving ahead with financing Jewish settlements.
A sum of 92 million Israeli shekels ($24 million) is marked as an undefined grant, allowing settlements to use the money for almost any purpose.
Estimates indicate that about 700,000 Israeli settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.
Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.
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