PLO secretary general calls move by Binyamin Netanyahu’s rightwing cabinet ‘a slap in the face of the international community’

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The Israeli government has approved an additional $18m (£12m) to pay for West Bank settlements.



The prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said the decision by his rightwing cabinet to allocate the extra 70 million shekels was in response to concerns about the security of existing Israeli settlements.

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According to the Haaretz newspaper, the amount is in addition to $88m already allocated to settlement-related spending.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace as they are built on land Palestinians view as part of their future state.

The US, the European Union and many others in the international community have called for a halt to settlement building.

The Israeli government argued the increase was needed because of security concerns. There has been an increase in Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks since October, with much of the violence occurring in the West Bank.

Speaking at the start of the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the allocation was “an assistance plan to strengthen communities” in the West Bank, saying it would “strengthen security, assist small businesses and encourage tourism”.

Beyond security, the cash will also upgrade tourism infrastructure, sport facilities and cultural events, ministers said.

Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erekat called the move a “slap in the face of the international community”.

“Israel is doing everything possible to sabotage every effort to achieve a just and lasting peace,” he said in a statement.