Israel approves millions for West Bank settlements

The Israeli government has approved nearly $13m in financing for the occupied West Bank settlements of Kiryat Arba and Hebron, according to officials.

The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right cabinet will see some 50 million Israeli shekels ($12.8m) allocated to "strengthen" the Jewish-only settlements.

The money will be allocated over three years and be designated to a variety of issues, including social, education and security services, and come from the budgets of the relevant ministries.

Kiryat Arba is a large settlement near Hebron, the largest Palestinian West Bank city, which is also host to several hundred Jewish settlers in a tightly guarded enclave.

The settlers live in the heart of a Palestinian area and are protected by thousands of Israeli soldiers, while local Palestinians endure restricted movement due to the military checkpoints in and around Hebron's historic Old City.

The Hebron area settlers have been affected by the recent wave of violence that has rocked Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since last October.

At least 214 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have been killed...
 Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
11/7/16
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