Watchdog says Israel's West Bank settlements surged in 2019 An Israeli watchdog has told The Associated Press that Israel's settlement activity in the West Bank surged ahead in 2019, maintaining a rapid pace that has drawn strength from the friendly policies of the Trump administrationJERUSALEM -- Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank surged ahead in 2019, a watchdog group said in a report Tuesday, maintaining a rapid pace that has drawn strength from the friendly policies of the Trump administration. The Palestinians, with wide international backing, seek all of the West Bank and east Jerusalem, also captured in 1967, as parts of a future independent state. The construction was scattered throughout the West Bank, including small settlements deep inside the territory. Developing that area, jutting deep into the West Bank east of Jerusalem, would hinder Palestinian hopes of creating a contiguous state. In the West Bank, there are also risks from Israelis and Palestinians — who are covered by two different health systems and governments — coming together.

Source: ABC News March 18, 2020 06:11 UTC