Jerusalem, Aug 31 (IANS) Israeli authorities Sunday announced a land of 4,000 dunam (four square kilometred) used as a settlement in the West Bank would be turned into state land and the government would acknowledge it as a new Israeli community, Xinhua reported.
There is no ownership claimed by Palestinians over these specific lands, Israeli authorities said, adding there will be a period of 45 days, in which objections against the decision could be filed.
There is currently a settlement in the area of Gva’ot, near Gush Ezion in the West Bank, which is built without proper permits. While, with the announcement, the settlement will be turned into part of Israeli lands.
The decision was made following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens at the same area in June when Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said a new settlement will be established in the area.
West Bank settlements are considered illegal by the international community and prevent a territorial continuity to the Palestinian territories in the West Bank.
“The announcement paves the way to the establishment of the new city of Gva’ot”, David Perl, head of the Gush Etzion regional council, told the Ynet news website.
