The United Nations human rights office has added 61 companies to its database of businesses involved in activities linked to Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, which the global body considers illegal, bringing the total number of firms listed to 214.
Israel has ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and banned 12 British nationals from entering the country, escalating a diplomatic row with London over Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
France will move to restrict imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, joining 11 other countries backing or considering similar measures, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday.
Seven countries have condemned Israel’s decision to open construction tenders for more than 1,200 homes under its E1 settlement project in the West Bank, warning the move could further undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
Israel has formally assumed planning and construction powers at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the West Bank, ending an arrangement that had been in place for nearly three decades.
Israel's cabinet is expected to approve a plan on Thursday (11 June) to allocate around one billion shekels ($338 million) for settlement development in the West Bank, according to reports and anti-settlement campaigners.
Israel's Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, announced plans on Wednesday (4 June) to expand three Jewish settlements in the West Bank by more than 2,000 homes, drawing condemnation from Palestinian leaders who warned the move could fuel further unrest.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem says it will provide on-site passport and consular services to settlers based in the West Bank on Friday 27 February. The move marks the first time American consular officials have offered such services to settlers, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates led regional states on Monday (9 February) in condemning Israel's move to ease settlement expansion and widen its powers in the occupied West Bank.
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