Israel is planning to build an additional 538 homes in the Shomron community of Itamar, Yediot Achronot reports. In addition, the government plans to retroactively legalize 137 existing homes. This plan was approved in the previous Knesset by Defense Minister Ehud Barak but it was not implemented.

Shomron leaders praised the announced construction, citing the population growth rate in Shomron is 10% and there are too many young couples that cannot find a place to live.

Left-wingers condemned the announced construction, with Peace Now and others warning Israel is sabotaging shuttle diplomacy efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry while alienating Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)