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<p>Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has continued since
the cessation of Operation Protective Edge. In August 2014, the Israeli Government
expropriated over 1000 acres of Palestinian land near Bethlehem, the largest expropriation
in 30 years. In September 2014, Israeli authorities approved 2610 units in Givat Hamatos.
In 2015, according to Israeli Non-Government Office Peace Now, construction for 1800
previously-tendered housing units began in the settlements. New tenders for 1143 housing
units were also published, 560 in the West Bank and 583 in East Jerusalem. 2016 has
seen a number of concerning announcements, including: the extension of the Gush Etzion
settlement to include the former church compound of Beit al Baraka; the declaration
of 385 acres of land near Jericho as ‘state land’; and approval for a further 153
settlement units. We strongly urge the Israeli Government to reverse its policy over
illegal settlements.</p>
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