Israel has approved 31 zoning plans, each containing a small number of housing units or facilities, in the occupied West Bank, in the first such move since the new coalition government came into office on June 13.

The move, which was passed on Wednesday, saw 18 of the construction plans receiving final approval in illegal settlements such as Alfei Menashe, Elkana, Havat Sde Bar and Yitzhar. The approval is the first of its kind in six months.

The new Israeli government has approved 31 new settlements constructions in its first two weeks.

We need the pressure from the streets to translate into viable policy. Wide scale Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. https://t.co/TwW2nwJ5SJ

— Rory Maclean (@rory_maclean) June 23, 2021

According to Haaretz, chairman of the Joint List alliance of Arab-majority parties, Ayman Odeh, denounced the approval of the construction in the settlements.

“The government has existed for less than two weeks, and already, 31 construction plans have been approved in the settlements,” Odeh said. “The left is surrendering to the right and setting the diplomatic issue aside, but the right continues to sabotage the chances of peace and to deepen the occupation, repression, and dispossession of millions of Palestinians.”

The High Planning Subcommittee of #Israel's Civil Administration gave the go-ahead to 31 of 33 proposals for building in #settlements, per reporting. 👇 #Palestine #WestBank #IllegalSettlements @naftalibennett https://t.co/slfEp4tiz4

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) June 24, 2021

Yesterday, the United Nations accused Israel of blatantly violating international law and called on it to halt the illegal expansion.

Settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are considered illegal under international law and by much of the international community.

(MEMO, PC, Social Media)