Israel okays 700 Palestinian homes, 6,000 settler homes

Israeli ministers have given rare approval to 700 Palestinian homes in the part of the occupied West Bank under the country’s full control while also approving 6,000 homes for settlers, an Israeli official said yesterday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the approval by Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday ahead of an expected visit by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner. It was not immediately clear if all of the homes will be new construction or if some already exist and are receiving retroactive approval.