Notorious Israeli settlement's population to expand by two-thirds

A notorious Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank is set for significant expansion, according to a report in Israeli media on Tuesday.

Beit El, which lies near Ramallah in the central region of the West Bank, is set to receive “approximately 650 new homes” say the report, with the housing project having “received approval from the Housing Ministry”.

The new neighbourhood “is expected to increase the population of Beit El, which currently includes just under 1,000 homes, by some 65%”, said Arutz Sheva.

“This is a real cause for celebration for the residents of Beit El and the entire settlement enterprise,” said Beit El mayor Shai Alon.

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“Thanks to our determined efforts, the town will soon expand with hundreds of new homes and thousands of new residents. This is a great gift on the eve of the new year [Rosh Hashana]”.

As noted by Arutz Sheva, Beit El settlement is seen as a “flagship” of the settlement enterprise, but over the past decade, “not a single new housing unit” had been approved.

All Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law.