The government on Wednesday approved a series of new construction projects in Judea and Samaria – its first move on the matter since being sworn in last week.
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The Civil Administration approved plans for 31 building projects in the communities of Elkana, Mishor Adumim, Karnei Shomron, Kfar Adumim and Yitzhar.
The projects include a school for children with special needs in Elkana, a shopping mall in Mishor Adumim and religious buildings in Karnei Shomron and Kfar Adumim. Additionally, the construction of new homes was approved in Yitzhar, as well as zoning changes in existing West Bank settlements, Israeli media reported.
The Civil Administration's subcommittee for construction projects in Judea and Samaria usually approves individual construction plans on a smaller scale, with larger decisions being taken by its Higher Zoning Committee, which usually convenes quarterly.
The Yesha Council – a collective of municipal representatives from Jewish settlements that was once headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, urged the convening of the Higher Zoning Committee immediately.
"We have been waiting for six months for approval of housing plans and that has not happened yet," the council said in a statement.
The US has urged Israel and the Palestinians to refrain from actions that could hinder peace efforts, including settlement activity. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will be flying to Rome on Sunday to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Joint Arab List chief Ayman Odeh criticized the mover, saying, "The Left has surrendered to the right and has put aside the diplomatic issue, but the right continues to harm the chances of peace and deepen the occupation, oppression and dispossession of millions of Palestinians."
Bennett has said that all parties will have to put ideological differences aside for the new government to function. A minister from the dovish Meretz party said the new government has agreed "at least at this stage, not to deal with" the Palestinian issue.
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