Ahead Of Biden's Inauguration, Netanyahu Orders Construction Of Jewish Homes In The West Bank To Continue

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the construction of 800 houses for Jews in the occupied West Bank to continue. The instructions were conveyed in an official statement, Monday, January 11.

The instruction was anticipated by many, especially ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden, on January 20, 2021. Unlike President Donald Trump, Biden has been quite vocal in criticizing illegal housing construction in the West Bank.

"The prime minister ordered the construction of hundreds of houses in Judea and Samaria to resume," the Israeli prime minister's office said in a written statement.

Judea and Samaria are other names for the West Bank that are mentioned in the Bible. The Israeli government said 800 houses would be built in the residential complexes of Beit El, Tal Menashe, Rehelim, Shavei Shomron, Barkan, Karnei Shomron and Givat Zeev.

However, the prime minister's office did not specify a construction date. Palestinians condemn the housing construction activities carried out by Israel in the occupied areas. Israel seized land in the West Bank after the war against Arab countries in 1967.

The development plan is considered by Palestine to hamper the Palestinian struggle which wants to make the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem part of the territory of the country it wants to establish.

Most countries around the world call construction of houses in occupied areas illegal. Israel often uses verses in holy books, historical documents and political events to justify its occupation of the West Bank, which is currently home to 440,000 Israelis and three million Palestinians.