JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister says he has ordered the construction of 300 new homes in a West Bank settlement.
Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision on Wednesday in response to a court order to demolish an unauthorized outpost by July 1.
Netanyahu said he would honor the court decision to remove the Ulpana outpost. He plans on moving its five homes to the adjacent settlement of Beit El. In addition, Netanyahu said he would build 300 more homes in Beit El.
Netanyahu has come under criticism from settler groups for the court-ordered Ulpana demolition. The new construction is meant to placate the settlers.
“I am obligated to preserve the law and preserve the settlements, and I say here that there is no contradiction between the two,” Netanyahu said.
