Israel moves to build new settlements

US PRESIDENT DonaldTrump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to speak yesterday for the first time since his inauguration, with Israel already taking advantage of his support by pushing through settlement plans.

Netanyahu said he was to speak with the billionaire businessman turned president later in the day, while Israeli officials also approved hundreds of new settler homes that had been postponed until after Trump took office.

Beyond that, hardline Israeli ministers were pushing a plan to annex a large Jewish settlement near Jerusalem in the occu- piedWest Bank, a move which could damage prospects for a two-state solution.

Trump has pledged strong support for Israel and vowed during his campaign to recognise Jerusalem as the country’s capital despite the city’s contested status.

Israeli right-wing politicians have welcomed his election, with hardliners who oppose a Palestinian state hoping it will allow them to move forward with their goal of annexing most of the West Bank.

In an initial move following Trump’s inauguration, Israeli officials on Sunday approved building permits for 566 settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem.

“The rules of the game have changed with Donald Trump’s arrival as president,” Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Meir Turjeman said.“We no longer have our hands tied as in the time of Barack Obama. Now we can finally build.”

A draft bill to annex the Maale Adumim settlement was also expected to be discussed by ministers yesterday. Annexing the settlement unilaterally would set off alarm bells globally, with many warning that it would be another step towards dividing theWest Bank between north and south, making a contiguous Palestinian state difficult to achieve.