Over 2,000 housing units will be approved for construction in Judea and Samaria Israel today

The Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration will convene next week to approve the promotion of more than 2,000 housing units at various planning stages in Judea and Samaria.

The council has not convened since mid-January this year, despite the fact that during Trump's tenure as president of the United States, it was agreed between Israel and the United States that the committee would convene once a quarter.

At the same meeting in January, 792 housing units were approved at various planning stages.

In recent months, the heads of the Yesha councils have criticized the defense minister, who has refrained from convening the committee since Biden took office as president of the United States.

At the meetings, 377 housing units in Kedumim, 399 housing units in Revava, 100 housing units in Elon Moreh, and 100 housing units in Sansana will be approved for deposit.

In addition, 286 housing units in Har Bracha, 292 housing units in Kfar Etzion and more will be approved.

Houses in the settlement of Ali, 2020, Miriam Tzachi

As reported in "Israel Today" last month, as part of the coalition negotiations between the right and the Gantz - an oral agreement was reached between the parties on maintaining the status quo on planning in Judea and Samaria, as was the case in the previous government, so that the IDF will convene every quarter.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Bnei Gantz today approved the construction of about 1,000 housing units in Area C for the Palestinians, in a step that has not been done for many years.

Area C is under full Israeli control, and there are many disputes between Jews and Palestinians regarding building rights and settlement there.

The leaders of the Palestine Lobby, MK Yoav Kish and MK Orit Struck, responded to Gantz's decision to approve construction for the Palestinians: "A Palestinian territorial continuity and a revival of a two-state vision for two peoples. A step that the coalition leaders from the national camp have always fought for.

The Shiloh Forum commented on Ganz's decision: "The approval given today by the Minister of Defense to the Palestinians is an expression of the continuing helplessness shown by Israel in the face of the planned and sophisticated campaign against it by the Palestinian Authority in Area C."

Peace Now responded: "Approval of over 2,000 housing units in the settlements undermines the chances of restoring trust with the Palestinians, and puts a finger on the Biden administration. On the day the government managed to release housing units to the Palestinian population in Area C, Unnecessary and harmful construction, a large part of which is in isolated settlements that Israel will have to evacuate. "

According to Peace Now, the average number of settlement building approvals in the last four years (2017-2020) is 8,250 units per year, compared to an average of less than 100 units per year approved for Palestinians at the time.

The head of the Efrat local council, Oded Ravibi, expressed support for the decision to approve building plans for both the settlement and the Palestinians in Area C: Illegal construction in which he must also say where it is allowed and where it is possible even if it is Palestinian construction. The step of approving construction for them is positive and in the right direction and in my eyes even strengthens the settlement. To help the existing housing crisis. "