Israel Expected to Approve a Surge in Settlement Construction

Palestinians getting building approval to build homes on their own land are so rare as to be almost unheard of under the Israeli occupation. Yet this week, 715 Palestinian housing units were approved, leaving Palestinians wonder what comes next.

Israeli Prime Minister Bnejamin Netanyahu says that the Israeli settlements in Palestine are now “forever,” but that’s likely just the start of what Netanyahu is going to do, with analysts expecting a huge surge in construction of settlements now.

Israel has been in a period of surge in construction during Netanyahu’s rule at any rate, with almost every year seeing more settlement construction approved than the previous one. Any concession to the Palestinians, no matter how minor, tends to be followed by a big settlement announcement, intended to placate the far-right that Netanyahu is so reliant on.

Letting the Palestinians build at all seems like it would be enough for Netanyahu to justify a massive increase in building, and since that’s always been his priority, it is unsurprising that’s what many are expecting.