The United States last night (Friday) issued a condemnation of Israel's announcement that the Supreme Planning Council in Judea and Samaria would convene to advance construction plans for some 4,000 new housing units.
"The Biden administration has been clear from the outset: we strongly oppose the expansion of settlements, which is exacerbating tensions and undermining trust between the parties," said Deputy State Department spokeswoman Jelena Porter.
Porter added that "the Israeli plan to expand the settlements significantly impairs the prospect of a two-state solution."
Despite the harsh language of condemnation, it is estimated that the move was coordinated with Israel.
President Biden is expected to pay an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority next month, and the Americans could not ignore the Israeli announcement at such a time.
Therefore, it was apparently agreed that Washington would issue a condemnation of the move but on the other hand would not change the visit plans.
Before addressing Israel's announcement, Porter strongly condemned the attack in Elad in which three Israelis were killed: "It was a shocking attack on men and women, and it was particularly vicious given its timing - while Israel is celebrating its independence."
The Americans are aware of the sensitive political situation in Israel, and of the ultimatum issued by MK Nir Auerbach to the right of Prime Minister Bennett, according to which if he does not prepare, the Planning Council will resign from the coalition and overthrow the government. As Auerbach said on his Twitter account: "Settlement construction is not a decision of a foreign entity, however senior. Anyone who does not recognize Israel's right to build in Judea and Samaria is welcome not to come."
Shortly afterwards, the announcement of the progress of the construction plans came out, and Auerbach wrote: "The chief planning officer is the breathing air of the settlement. She is the oxygen. I congratulate the defense minister and the prime minister on responding to my request and issuing the summons to convene the council."
Minister Ayelet Shaked also responded to the decision, writing: "I welcome the convening of the Supreme Planning Council next week towards the construction of about 4,000 housing units, including the Mitzpe Dani settlement, which is especially important to me, and I have accompanied it for many years. It is requested and taken for granted. "
On the other hand, Knesset members from the opposition Yoav Kish and Orit Struck, who head the Eretz Israel lobby in the Knesset, criticized Ganz's decision: "The defense minister decided to regulate and expand Palestinian outposts 'in parallel' to promote Israeli settlement in Judea and Samaria Published on their behalf. "The fact that this dangerous decision qualifies as part of the 'Abu Mazen outposts' and is accepted as a so-called 'achievement' for Nir Orbach following the 'ultimatum' he presented is even more serious.
"Promoting Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria is a Zionist obligation, training Palestinian outposts is aiding the enemy, and there is no room for comparison between the two."
As part of the meeting of the Planning Council, 25 different construction plans will be promoted in localities throughout Judea and Samaria.
Among other things, plans will be submitted for the construction of 500 housing units in Elkana, 286 in Kedumim, 192 in Shaarei Tikva, 170 in Emanuel, 110 in Mevo Horon, 90 in Dolev, 56 in Negohot and 32 in Nokdim.
In addition, previous plans already submitted to the council will be approved and come into effect, including the construction of 764 housing units in Beitar Illit, 534 in Shvut Rachel, 364 in Dolev, 168 in Neria, 156 in Kiryat Arba, 136 in Givat Zeev, 114 in Ma'ale Mikhmas and 107 in Tal Menashe.
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