In this Feb. 16, 2015, photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks with Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon during a ceremony for new Israeli Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem. AP
JERUSALEM—An Israeli official has confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized construction of hundreds of new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
The move comes as a response to a series of deadly Palestinians attacks against Jewish settlers.
The official says construction would take place in Maale Adumim, just outside Jerusalem, and in the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Ramot, Gilo and Har Homa. The plan also called for over 600 new homes in an Arab neighborhood of east Jerusalem.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday as he isn’t authorized to discuss the matter with reporters.
Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967. Most of the world considers settlement construction illegal or illegitimate.