BETHLEHEM, August 22, 2018 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities Wednesday decided to seize about 100 dunums (24.7 acres) of agricultural land belonging to the Palestinian village of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, said a local activist.

Hassan Breijah, Coordinator of Anti-Wall and Settlement Committee, said that the so-called Israeli Civil Administration has approved the seizure of 100 dunums of agricultural land in Ein al-Qassis from western al-Khader and their reallocation for settlement construction.

He explained that the purpose is to build new settler units to expand the illegal Israeli settlement of Neve Daniel, which is built on the villagers’ lands.

Israel had also approved the construction of 650 new settler units fir the illegal settlement of Beit El, close to the central West Bank city of Ramallah.

Between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law.

All settlements across the West Bank are illegal under international law, particularly article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which establishes that the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.

The “Civil Administration” is the name Israel gives to the body administering its military occupation of the West Bank.

K.F.