Israel to appropriate West Bank land south of BethlehemSeptember 1, 2014 - 10:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel has announced plans to expropriate 4 sq km of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, BBC News reported. The decision to appropriate land south of Bethlehem is believed to be the largest seizure by Israel in 30 years. The military-run local administration said it was a response to the kidnapping and killing of three Jewish teenagers in the area in June. Palestinians said diplomatic action should be taken against Israel. The US urged Israel to reverse the move. The decision was announced on Sunday, August 31 by the Israeli army department charged with administering civil affairs in the West Bank. The takeover of the land in the area of Gush Etzion clears the way for expansion of a settlement named Gevaot. Local Israeli settlements said they hoped to build on the land, which Palestinian officials said included many olive groves. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the world community should hold Israel accountable for "the ongoing Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem", according to the AFP news agency. Meanwhile, a US state department official was quoted by Reuters as describing the Israeli move as "counterproductive to Israel's stated goal of a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians". The Palestinians want their state to include all land captured by Israel in 1967, but some 500,000 Jews now live in more than 200 settlements and outposts in the West Bank - including East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Photo: Mehanem Khana Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |