Washington
\nThe decision made by the Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government to expand settlements in the West Bank has caused deep concern and unease within the United States, as per its state department\u2019s statement.
\n\u201cThe United States is deeply troubled by the Israeli government\u2019s reported decision to advance planning for over 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank,\u201d the statement mentioned.
\nExpressing further concern, the state department also addressed reports regarding alterations to Israel\u2019s settlement administration system, which could potentially accelerate the planning and approval processes for settlements.
\n\u201cAs has been longstanding policy, the United States opposes such unilateral actions that make a two-state solution more difficult to achieve and are an obstacle to peace,\u201d the department mentioned in its statement.
\nThe US has called on Israel\u2019s government to fulfil its commitments in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and return to a dialogue aimed at de-escalation.
\nThe Israeli cabinet is anticipated to adopt a resolution on Sunday, streamlining the construction process for Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, also serving in the defence ministry, would gain the authority to approve one of the stages, marking a significant change from the previous 27-year system.
\nLikewise, the Israeli Civil Administration\u2019s Supreme Planning Council in the West Bank plans to convene next week to discuss the progress of housing unit plans in the settlements.
\nPreviously, political approval was required for every step of the settlement construction permit procedure. However, the cabinet\u2019s decision aims to reduce such involvement.
\nIn the past, prime ministers and defence ministers frequently intervened to delay construction due to political and international pressures. The proposed system would decrease political intervention from four to two phases in the approval process.
\nIsraeli cabinet\u2019s resolution comes ahead of the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf\u2019s visit to the region.
\nAccording to the US State Department, Leaf, as reported in the Middle East Eye, will meet \u201cwith senior Israeli political and military leadership to discuss areas of mutual interest, including expanding and deepening Israel\u2019s integration into the Middle East and constraining Iran\u2019s destabilising behaviour\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Washington The decision made by the Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government to expand settlements in the West Bank has caused deep concern and unease within the United States, as per its state department\u2019s statement. \u201cThe United States is deeply troubled by the Israeli government\u2019s reported decision to advance planning for over 4,000 settlement units in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":338795,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-338784","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n