Israel settlements: New West Bank construction approved

by Dramelin 2:00 PM 0 comments approved bank construction days housing israel minister netanyahu settlement settlements spicer trump units west white

Story highlights Israel approves 2,500 new housing unitsPrime Minister Netanyahu says Israel will "continue to build"Jerusalem (CNN) Just days after US President Donald Trump was sworn into office, Israel approved the construction of approximately 2,500 new housing units in West Bank settlements Tuesday, according to a statement from Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump press secretary Sean Spicer was asked about the new housing units Tuesday at the White House press briefing. "(Trump) wants to grow closer with Israel to make sure that it gets the full respect that it deserves in the Middle East. The planned new homes mark one of the largest settlement expansions since 2013, according to the settlement watchdog Peace Now. "Israel continues to be a huge ally of the United States," Spicer said.