Israel approves new settlement construction in Palestine

Washington Post - Israel gave the final go-ahead Thursday to build nearly 1,500 homes in Jewish settlements, saying the construction was a response to the formation of the Palestinian unity government backed by the Islamic militant group Hamas.

The move triggered international criticism and deepened a rift between Israel and its Western allies. With Israel outraged at the world’s embrace of the unity government, Israel’s housing minister said the new construction was “just the beginning.”  Read more.