The Israeli government announced plans to build 974 new homes in the Efrat village in the Western Middle East. This decision led to sharp criticisms by the international community and the Palestinians here.
Construction plan and its impact
According to the Israeli human rights organization "Peace Now," the new construction will increase the territory of the Efrat village by 40%. This may hinder the development of the nearby Bethlehem city. The organization emphasizes that this move will further fragment the lands of the Palestinians.
International relations
Palestinians and many international organizations consider this construction illegal and see it as an obstacle to the peace process. The UN's resolution 2334 of 2016 condemned Israel's constructions in the occupied territories. Despite this, the Israeli government continues these constructions.
Palestinians' reaction
Palestinians view this action as a further fragmentation of their lands and a decrease in the possibilities to establish an independent state. For Palestinians, the development of the Bethlehem city is of significant importance, and the new constructions might negatively affect this process.
Israel's new construction plans in the Western Middle East might further complicate the situation in the region. The reaction and actions of the international community will determine the future situation.
Abdullah Sayyid
