Israel to build 450 new homes in West Bank settlement

Israel's government on Friday issued tenders to build 450 new housing units in Jewish settlements in the Palestinian West Bank, according to Israel Lands Administration.

The Lands Administration published the tenders on its website on Friday, which include 102 housing units in Kyriat Arba, a stronghold of radical right-wing settlers; 78 units in Alfei Menashe, one of the largest settlement cities; 114 units in the settlement of Adam and 156 in Elkana.

"Other tender was for a hotel in the settlement city of Ma'ale Adumim, and another few tenders were for trade and offices in the settlement of Immanuel and in Ma'ale Adumim," Israeli settlements watchdog Peace Now said in a statement.

"In addition, a plan for the construction of 93 housing units in southern Gilo was deposited for public review in East Jerusalem," it added.

Hagit Ofran, settlement watch director for Peace Now, said the government had approved the new construction in the past but issued the tenders only now, less than two months before the general elections in March .

"It is a pre-election grab to establish facts on the ground made by (Prime Minister) Netanyahu Government," said Ofran.

Israel seized West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has controlled it ever since.

The settlements are illegal under international law. Several rounds of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians reached a deadlock over the Israeli construction in the settlements. Endit