Khaberni - The "Higher Planning Council" affiliated with the "Civil Administration" unit in the Israeli occupation army approved on Wednesday plans for building 576 new settlement units in settlements in the West Bank, and the construction of a building covering a thousand square meters in the heart of Hebron city to be used as an institute for teaching the Torah.
Among the plans approved include the construction of 456 housing units in the "Mitzpe Yeriho" settlement at the expense of lands belonging to the Jericho governorate, and the construction of 120 housing units in the "Karni Shomron" settlement in northern West Bank.
Israeli Finance Minister and Minister in charge of Settlements, Bezalel Smotrich, said, "We continue to bring thousands of new residents to 'Mitzpe Yeriho', and establish a new building for the 'Shavei Hebron' Torah teaching institute in Hebron. This is a process that entrenches our control over the land, and establishes clear realities that prevent the establishment of an 'Arab terror state' in the heart of the country."
Smotrich stated in a declaration, "Yesterday we annulled the Hebron Agreements", after the "Higher Planning Council" approved the withdrawal of planning and building authorities from the Hebron municipality.
Several months ago, the cabinet had approved this step based on a proposal presented by Smotrich, whereby the planning authorities at the Hebron Sanctuary are withdrawn from the Hebron municipality and transferred to the occupation authorities.
