Israel approves 19 settler outposts in major expansion in occupied West Bank

In another major expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli cabinet approved on Thursday the legalization and establishment of numerous settler outposts, according to an Israeli source familiar with the matter, CNN reported yesterday (14)

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The decision authorizes 19 outposts across the West Bank, including two that were evacuated in the 2005 disengagement plan.

Reacting to news of the decision, Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said, "All Israeli settlement activity is illegal and constitutes a violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions," according to Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

Outposts, in addition to being illegal under international law, are also illegal under Israeli law. Settlers establish outposts with the goal of receiving authorization for the illegal building in the future. Many of the newly authorized settlements are deep within the West Bank.