The UN has voiced strong concerns after Israeli lawmakers gave the green light to a bill which would legalize West Bank settlements. While Washington voiced “deep concern” over the move, Palestinians called on the US to recognize the state of Palestine. On Monday in a preliminary reading, the Israeli parliament (Knesset) voted 60-49, to pass a revised version of the Regulation Bill. The bill aims to legalize 55 settlements situated on privately-owned Palestinian land, according to
Peace Now. While the draft specifies that landowners are to be offered compensation, the passage of the bill was condemned at home and abroad. The bill still needs to pass another three times in the Knesset and get the green light from the Supreme Court to retroactively legalize 4,000 settler homes in Area C of the West Bank, which has been under Israeli military rule since 1967. The UN warned of “legal consequences” if the draft legislation becomes law. READ MORE
