The Israeli government has given the final approval for the construction of 90 new settler homes in the West Bank, days after the US announced that President Barack Obama would visit Israel.
The announcement by the Israeli Defence Ministry in August of the construction was given final approval by the Civil Administration's planning committee, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pledge that 300 new homes would eventually be erected in Beit El for settler families.
Hagit Ofran from the Peace Now settlement watchdog commented that,
"Even though there is not yet a new government in place they are still allowing settlement procedures to continue instead of putting them on hold which is a telling sign about this new government".
Meanwhile Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated,
"The Palestinian position is clear. There can be no negotiation while settlement continues".
