Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday welcomed a recent decision to expand settlements in what was his first visit to a community beyond the Green Line since taking office.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
During a visit to the settlement of Elkana, he cast the expansion of settlements as a response to recent Palestinian violence. The Palestinians view settlement construction as the main obstacle to peace because it further undermines their hopes for an independent state on lands Israel seized through war.
"In the face of enemy violence, the Zionist answer has always been settlement, security and aliyah," Bennett said. "Last week we approved here in Elkana, to my understanding, the largest volume of construction at once, since the establishment of the town."
He appeared to be referring to the approval of more than 4,000 homes by a military planning body. During a call with Bennett on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed "concern" about the settlement construction and "his desire to contribute to a decisive revival of peace efforts in the Middle East," according to a readout from the French presidential palace.
Macron also urged Bennett to bring to a quick conclusion the investigation into the death last week of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed during an Israeli counterterrorism operation in Jenin.
Bennett, a longtime supporter of settlements who once held a senior position in the umbrella settlement organization Yesha Council, is opposed to Palestinian statehood. He leads a government that includes parties from across Israel's political spectrum, including some opposed to settlements.
In the interest of keeping the coalition together, they have ruled out any major peace initiatives or outright annexation, while continuing to expand settlements and taking some steps to help the Palestinians economically.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
