Israel approves millions for West Bank settlements

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Israeli government approved $18 million in extra funding for Jewish West Bank settlements on Sunday, June 19, in a move that angered both opposition lawmakers and Palestinians, the Associated Press reports.

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the funding aims to assist small businesses, encourage tourism and strengthen security. It follows months of Palestinian attacks on civilians and soldiers.

Some 600,000 Jews live in settlements built on the West Bank and in east Jerusalem on lands Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war. Most of the world considers them to be illegal. Israel has faced strong criticism for their continued expansion. The Palestinians demand the territory as part of their future state.

Opposition lawmakers attacked the decision, saying that instead of boosting Israel's struggling periphery the government was pouring money into an enterprise that undermined Israel's security and international standing, AP says.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby reaffirmed Washington's opposition to settlement building.

"Our position on settlement activity remains clear and consistent. We strongly oppose all settlement activity, which is corrosive to the cause of peace," Kirby said. "We continue to look to both sides to demonstrate with actions and policies a genuine commitment to a two-state solution. Actions such as these do just the opposite."