Netanyahu approves the building of new settlements in Ramallah

Based upon directives of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Planning Committee, which is affiliated to Israeli army, held a meeting on Wednesday, approving the construction of 12 houses in Shilo and Shavuot Raheel in the north of Ramallah city.

Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Friday that this decision came after much pressure put on Netanyahu by Chief of Jewish Home Party Naftali Bennett and Minister Uri Ariel.

Maariv claimed that the meeting of the Planning Committee came after a long phase of settlement building freeze. According to this decision, all suspended construction projects in the two settlements would be resumed.

The meeting was held in connection with the attack against Israeli settlers that took place in the north of Ramallah last week, when a settler was killed and three others were wounded.

Following the attack, a group of settlers attempted to set up a new settlement near the area where the attack was carried out, but the Israeli police undermined their attempts.