Israel To Expand West Bank Housing

The Israeli government has authorized major expansion of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, a move that could increase frictions with Palestinians.

Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai approved construction of 1,200 homes in the Emanuel settlement, which now has 700 apartments, Israel Radio said Monday. Construction will begin in two months and also will include a country club, an old-age home and a field school.

Mordechai’s spokesman, Avi Beniyahu, would not confirm or deny the report Monday.

Some 145,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and Gaza.