WEST JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY APPROVES 900 WEST BANK SETTLEMENT UNIT

Jerusalem, 6 Rabi’ul Awwal 1437/17 December 2015 (MINA) – The Israeli building and planning board in West Jerusalem on Wednesday approved a plan to construct 891 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Gilo, southwest Jerusalem.

The construction plan, initiated in 2012, was pulled at the last minute three weeks ago, in fear of a sharp American reaction during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States, Palestine News Network (PNN) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

A month ago, Netanyahu approved the construction of 500 more illegal settlement units in Ramat Shlomo settlement, Occupied East Jerusalem.

A week before that, Netanyahu also approved the construction of 2,200 settlement units in Ma’ale Michmas settlement east of Ramallah.

These moves have apparently increased tensions and clashes, leading to more protests and more Israeli oppression.

About 126 Palestinians have been killed, and over 14,000 injured since the start of October, with 22 settlers on the Israeli side, and about 250 injured.(T/P008/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)