Report: Israel plans to build new settlement in central Jerusalem al-Quds

Israel plans to build a new settlement in the central area of the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, despite international condemnation, a report says.

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported on Thursday that the new settlement, to be built near Malha Mall in central Jerusalem al-Quds, will include hundreds of settler units and offices as well as other facilities.

According to the report, Israel seeks to build sports facilities, several 24-story apartment buildings, 250 protected housing units, and hundreds of offices and commercial facilities and stores in the new neighborhoods.

The plan will be referred for approval to the so-called district planning and building committee in Jerusalem al-Quds soon.             

Earlier this week, reports said Israeli authorities planned to expand the settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev in Jerusalem al-Quds, and to build 900 new settler units.

More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.

Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital.

Israel to raze more Palestinian structures in West Bank

Also on Thursday, the Israeli army threatened to demolish three Palestinian homes, a water tank and other structures in Ain Shibli village, east of Nablus City, in the occupied West Bank.

According to local official Ghassan Daghlas, Israeli forces stormed the village and delivered the demolition orders to local residents.

The orders come a few days after the European Union called for an end to demolitions and settlement expansion.

Palestine says EU stance on Israeli settlements ‘not enough’

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged everyone to ‘take practical steps to force Israel to stop its settlements activity.’

The call was made by EU spokesman Peter Stano on Tuesday after Israel demolished 46 structures belonging to Palestinian families in Hamsa al-Foqa in the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank earlier this week.

“The EU recalls its firm opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in that context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes, which it sees as illegal under international law and as an impediment to a viable two-state solution,” said Stano.

Israeli authorities usually demolish Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank, claiming that the structures have been built without permits, which are nearly impossible to obtain. They also sometimes order Palestinian owners to demolish their own homes or pay the demolition costs to the municipality if they do not.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk