Israel to expand settlements to absorb French immigrants

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Reddit Telegram

Israel intends to expand illegal settlement construction in areas of the West Bank in order to absorb an influx of Jewish French immigrants

The Times of Israel reports: As officials push for France’s Jews to move to Israel, Uri Ariel calls to scout out areas for new housing beyond the Green Line

BYPASS THE CENSORS

You can unsubscribe any time. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use

Housing Minister Uri Ariel plans to move a possible influx of French immigrants to West Bank settlements and has instructed authorities to look at ways to expand existing settlements to make room for them.

JOIN THE FIGHT: BECOME A CITIZEN JOURNALIST TODAY!

In a letter sent Monday to the Yesha council of settler leaders, the minister told settlement officials to prepare to absorb a wave of French immigration in the wake of the Paris terror attacks that will be keen to join Jewish communities over the Green Line, Israel’s Channel 2 news reported Tuesday night, showing the letter on screen.

“There is no doubt that the Jews of France feel a deep identity with the settlement movement in the West Bank,” Ariel wrote. “And that is where they will want to establish their home.”

Ariel, a member of the national-religious Jewish Home party led by Economics Minister Naftali Bennett, ordered relevant authorities in his ministry and the Israel Land Authority to expand current settlements to receive the immigrants.

He also tasked the Yesha council, that coordinates settlement activity, to find suitable sites for expansion in Jewish communities in the West Bank, the report said.