Israel approves 2,500 West Bank settler homes as Trump begins presidency

Israel approved Tuesday the construction of 2,500 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, making good on promises to expand such building following the election of US President Donald Trump. The Israeli government said on Tuesday that most of the 2,500 housing units would be built in “settlement blocs,” referring to areas of the West Bank that Israel has long intended to keep under any future agreement with the Palestinians. The election of U.S. President Donald Trump has emboldened pro-settlement lawmakers, including Lieberman and Netanyahu. Trump has indicated that he will be more sympathetic to Israeli settlement construction. Mr. Trump has also drawn outcry from Palestinian leaders with a campaign trail promise to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the contested city of Jerusalem