Israel approves $90m grant for settlements

The Israeli government yesterday approved a special grant of 340 million shekels ($90 million) for settlements in the West Bank in the 2015-2016 state budget.

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that each ministry will suffer cuts of 0.5 per cent this year and four per cent in 2016 to pay for the extra appropriations.

The paper said the grant will be allocated to planning and development, security on the roads, development of natural reserves, tourism and security.

It pointed out that in December last year the interior ministry approved a grant worth $17 million to the settlements regional council.