The Israeli occupation government plans to hold a meeting next week to discuss its settlement policy in the occupied West Bank, reports Anadolu Agency.
The meeting comes amid divisions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government members on dismantling a settlement outpost in the northern West Bank that was erected by settlers on Friday.
A statement by Netanyahu’s Office said the Israeli government backs settlement plans via coordination with the prime minister and security officials.
According to the statement, the settlement outpost was dismantled as it was built on Palestinian lands without the government’s approval.
The dismantling of the outpost has drawn fire from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also a member of the defense ministry under an agreement between coalition partners.
On Thursday, a US delegation headed by National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan visited the region and met with Palestinian and Israeli officials. During the visit, Sullivan underlined the US support for the two-state solution and opposition to any unilateral steps by the Israeli occupation.
According to official Palestinian sources, there are currently about 650,000 Israeli settlers live in 164 settlements and 116 outposts on Palestinian landa in the West Bank, including in occupied Jerusalem.
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestine are considered illegal.
Source: Middle East Monitor
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