With US President Joe Biden's administration expected to oppose Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, Israel Hayom has learned that Jerusalem hopes to avoid the kind of public disputes seen under former President Barack Obama and hash things out with the new administration behind the scenes.
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The diplomatic echelon intends to propose a continuation of the clandestine agreement adopted four years ago that allowed for limited construction in small areas. A diplomatic official with knowledge of the agreement said that although Israel was unable to build freely in Judea and Samaria, the policy afforded both countries peace of mind.
Throughout the presidency of Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, the IDF's Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria could approve construction plans in four separate intervals each year. The construction was carried out adjacent to existing neighborhoods and did not exceed the Blue Line. It was also agreed that the footprint of the new neighborhoods should be as small as possible to avoid spilling over into areas the Americans hold should be part of a future Palestinian state.
As a result of adhering to the agreement, a large number of apartment buildings were built in the settlements in recent years, and the number of detached houses under construction has declined. In addition, although the agreement allowed for construction in Judea and Samaria to be approved four separates times each year, in practice, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did so three times a year. All construction plans for Judea and Samaria were also analyzed and approved by members of the US administration before being submitted to the Civil Administration's planning committee.
Another sensitive topic is construction in Jerusalem. Netanyahu has said that officially, there are no policy restrictions on construction in the city, but many sources in the diplomatic echelon have told Israel Hayom that even under former President Donald Trump, construction in Jerusalem required Washington's approval.
While on a trip to Israel in 2010, then-Vice President Biden denounced the construction of 1,600 housing units in east Jerusalem, arguing the move "undermines the confidence in which we have need and goes against the constructive discussions I have had here."
In his first phone call with Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, which took place Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed opposition to unilateral moves by either Israel or the Palestinians. As for the possibility Washington would open a mission to the Palestinians in east Jerusalem, Blinken said a decision had yet to be made on the matter. Asked about the possibility the US would return to the 2015 nuclear deal, Blinken emphasized Washington would consult with Israel before consolidating a policy on Iran.
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