Israeli Parliament’s first vote in favour of legalising West Bank homes. The measure, which would apply to an estimated 2000 to 3000 Jewish homes in the occupied West Bank, requires three more full parliamentary votes to become law. But those who support it say the move is urgently needed to protect a Jewish outpost in the occupied West Bank called Amona. The outpost, where some 40 families live, is under a high court order to be demolished by December 25 because it was built on private Palestinian land. Opposition leader Isaac Herzog, who heads the Labour party, said the bill contravened Israeli and international law while justifying "theft".

Source: New Zealand Herald November 17, 2016 16:21 UTC