New findings by an Israeli organization show the expansion of illegal settlement buildings in the West Bank increased by 19 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year.
 
According to the January 2012 report published by Israeli Peace Now organization on Tuesday, Israel began the construction of 1,850 new illegal housing units in the occupied West Bank in 2011.
 
The figure excludes settlement buildings started in occupied East Jerusalem and is based on aerial surveys and field visits in the period of January-September 2011.
 
The report showed that at least 3,500 illegal units were also under construction in the West Bank in 2011.
 
In the same year, tenders were also published for the construction of 1,577 units in the West Bank and 2,057 units in East Jerusalem.
 
Also in 2011, Israel planned to recognize 11 new illegal settlements by legalizing their outposts that house about 2,300 settlers in 680 buildings.
 
Israel has repeatedly been criticized by the international community for illegal settlement activities on the occupied Palestinian land.
 
In November 2011, Israel decided to speed up the building process of the settlement units in the occupied territories in response to a vote by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in favor of Palestinians. The UNESCO extended full membership to Palestinians on October 31, 2011.
 
(Press TV)