<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-faces-palestinian-international-criticism-of-israel-settlement-move-263219">Israel's occupation </a>of the Palestinian territories has cost the economy of the Palestinians more than $2.5 billion a year for the past two decades, a UN report said Monday.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report estimated the total fiscal loss to the Palestinian government between 2000 and 2017 at $47.7 billion.

The figure included $28 billion in accrued interest and $6.6 billion in leakage from Palestinian fiscal revenues.

It said the amount would have been enough to eliminate the Palestinian government's $17.7 billion budget deficit over the same period more than twice over.

The report argued if the $47 billion had been invested sensibly in the impoverished Palestinian economy, it would have created an extra two million jobs over the 18-year period, or 110,000 a year.

The report was presented at the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) in the West Bank city of Ramallah, home to the Palestinian government.

Misyef Jameel, senior researcher at MAS who worked on the report, said they only measured the direct fiscal impact.&nbsp;

The real figure for all loses was likely much higher, he said. 
&nbsp;

Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories has cost the economy of the Palestinians more than $2.5 billion a year for the past two decades, a UN report said Monday.

Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories has cost the economy of the Palestinians more than $2.5 billion a year for the past two decades, a UN report said Monday. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report estimated the total fiscal loss to the Palestinian government between 2000 and 2017 at $47.7 billion. The figure included $28 billion in accrued interest and $6.6 billion in leakage from Palestinian fiscal revenues. It said the amount would have been enough to eliminate the Palestinian government's $17.7 billion budget deficit over the same period more than twice over. The report argued if the $47 billion had been invested sensibly in the impoverished Palestinian economy, it would have created an extra two million jobs over the 18-year period, or 110,000 a year. The report was presented at the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) in the West Bank city of Ramallah, home to the Palestinian government. Misyef Jameel, senior researcher at MAS who worked on the report, said they only measured the direct fiscal impact. The real figure for all loses was likely much higher, he said.

Israeli occupation costs Palestinian economy $2.5 bn a year: UN

The Vatican spoke out on Wednesday against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-policy-shift-united-states-backs-israeli-settlements-on-west-bank-263029">United States' decision </a>to no longer consider Israeli settlements illegal, joining stiff international criticism of the policy reversal.

Without naming the US, the Holy See said in a statement that "recent decisions ... risk undermining further the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the already fragile regional stability."

"The Holy See reiterates its position of a two-state solution for two peoples, as the only way to reach a complete solution to this age-old conflict," the Vatican said.&nbsp;

On Monday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the Israeli settlements were "not, per se, inconsistent with international law," breaking with UN Security Council resolutions declaring the settlements to be illegal as they are built on occupied Palestinian land.&nbsp;

The policy shift puts the US at odds with virtually the whole of the rest of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-faces-palestinian-international-criticism-of-israel-settlement-move-263219">international community</a>, and criticism came on Tuesday from the European Union, the United Nations and the Arab League. &nbsp;

Courts in Israel have declared most major settlements legal.&nbsp;

More than 600,000 Israelis live in settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, alongside more than three million Palestinians. The settlements remain one of the thorniest issues in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.&nbsp;

The Holy See said it supported Israel's right to live in peace and security within the borders that are recognised by the international community and supported "the same right that belongs to the Palestinian people, which must be recognised, respected and implemented."

Israel has welcomed the US decision, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he was "very moved" by Pompeo's announcement.

US President Donald Trump's administration had "corrected a historic injustice and lined up with truth and justice," Netanyahu said.

Pope Francis, who arrived on Wednesday in Thailand ahead of a visit to Japan, has not himself directly addressed the issue.

The Vatican spoke out on Wednesday against the United States' decision to no longer consider Israeli settlements illegal, joining stiff international criticism of the policy reversal.

The Vatican spoke out on Wednesday against the United States' decision to no longer consider Israeli settlements illegal, joining stiff international criticism of the policy reversal. Without naming the US, the Holy See said in a statement that "recent decisions ... risk undermining further the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the already fragile regional stability." "The Holy See reiterates its position of a two-state solution for two peoples, as the only way to reach a complete solution to this age-old conflict," the Vatican said. On Monday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the Israeli settlements were "not, per se, inconsistent with international law," breaking with UN Security Council resolutions declaring the settlements to be illegal as they are built on occupied Palestinian land. The policy shift puts the US at odds with virtually the whole of the rest of the international community, and criticism came on Tuesday from the European Union, the United Nations and the Arab League. Courts in Israel have declared most major settlements legal. More than 600,000 Israelis live in settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, alongside more than three million Palestinians. The settlements remain one of the thorniest issues in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Holy See said it supported Israel's right to live in peace and security within the borders that are recognised by the international community and supported "the same right that belongs to the Palestinian people, which must be recognised, respected and implemented." Israel has welcomed the US decision, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he was "very moved" by Pompeo's announcement. US President Donald Trump's administration had "corrected a historic injustice and lined up with truth and justice," Netanyahu said. Pope Francis, who arrived on Wednesday in Thailand ahead of a visit to Japan, has not himself directly addressed the issue.

Vatican criticises US policy shift on Israeli settlements

Israel&#39;s parliament has finalised a controversial law that will legalise Jewish houses built on West Bank, a tract of land belonging to Palestine, a move that endangers possibility of peace in the area.

The bill, if approved by the supreme court, will legalise more than 3,800 homes that are already built there.

Far-right Jewish Home&#39;s&nbsp;Bezalel Smotrich, who was frontlining the need for the legislation of Jewish outposts on Palestinian land, thanked the United States and the Donald Trump administration for putting their weight behind their cause.

Unlike previous US governments, the current administration had said new settlements would not hinder the peace process in the region.

Emboldened by Trump&#39;s victory last year, Israel has announced more than 6,000 new homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, a development that has raised the hackles among the Palestinians.

On Monday, the new law was passed by 60 members of parliament to 52 against.

But there are detractors of the new legislation, with the opposition leader and Labour chief&nbsp;Isaac Herzog dubbing it as a &quot;despicable law&quot; and against &quot;Israel&#39;s interests&quot;.

The UN also weighed in on the subject, fearing that the new law would scythe any prospetcs of settling the decades-long conflagration&nbsp;in the region.

However, the bill could still be struck down by the country&#39;s top court. Israel&#39;s defence minister&nbsp;Avigdor Lieberman said the chance of it being scrapped by the country&#39;s supreme court was &quot;100 percent.&quot;

Its defenders argue the bill will allow settlers to live without fear of being driven from their homes -- many of which they have lived in for years.

Last week, the few hundred residents of the Amona outpost in the West Bank were evicted after the Supreme Court ruled their homes were built on private Palestinian land.

The lengthy Amona saga -- including the evictions broadcast live on Israeli television -- directly inspired the bill.

Demolitions and removal of the buildings there began on Monday.

The new law will allow Israel to legally seize Palestinian private land on which Israelis built without knowing it was private property or because the state allowed them to do so.

Palestinian owners will be compensated financially or with other land.

Palestinian reaction

The Palestine Liberation Organisation slammed the new legislation, saying: &quot;The Israeli government&rsquo;s will to destroy any chances for a political solution.&quot;

The PLO further said in a statement, stressing that the &quot;Israeli&nbsp;settlement&nbsp;enterprise negates peace and the possibility of the two-state solution.&quot;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The controversial law has split the country, with some calling it a victory while detractors dubbing it as 'despicable'

Israel's parliament has finalised a controversial law that will legalise Jewish houses built on West Bank, a tract of land belonging to Palestine, a move that endangers possibility of peace in the area. The bill, if approved by the supreme court, will legalise more than 3,800 homes that are already built there. Far-right Jewish Home's Bezalel Smotrich, who was frontlining the need for the legislation of Jewish outposts on Palestinian land, thanked the United States and the Donald Trump administration for putting their weight behind their cause. Unlike previous US governments, the current administration had said new settlements would not hinder the peace process in the region. Emboldened by Trump's victory last year, Israel has announced more than 6,000 new homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, a development that has raised the hackles among the Palestinians. On Monday, the new law was passed by 60 members of parliament to 52 against. But there are detractors of the new legislation, with the opposition leader and Labour chief Isaac Herzog dubbing it as a "despicable law" and against "Israel's interests". The UN also weighed in on the subject, fearing that the new law would scythe any prospetcs of settling the decades-long conflagration in the region. However, the bill could still be struck down by the country's top court. Israel's defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said the chance of it being scrapped by the country's supreme court was "100 percent." Its defenders argue the bill will allow settlers to live without fear of being driven from their homes -- many of which they have lived in for years. Last week, the few hundred residents of the Amona outpost in the West Bank were evicted after the Supreme Court ruled their homes were built on private Palestinian land. The lengthy Amona saga -- including the evictions broadcast live on Israeli television -- directly inspired the bill. Demolitions and removal of the buildings there began on Monday. The new law will allow Israel to legally seize Palestinian private land on which Israelis built without knowing it was private property or because the state allowed them to do so. Palestinian owners will be compensated financially or with other land. Palestinian reaction The Palestine Liberation Organisation slammed the new legislation, saying: "The Israeli government’s will to destroy any chances for a political solution." The PLO further said in a statement, stressing that the "Israeli settlement enterprise negates peace and the possibility of the two-state solution." (WION with inputs from AFP)

Israel approves settler outposts on Palestinian land

Israeli police began evicting dozens of hardline Jewish settlers from a wildcat outpost on Wednesday, just hours after unveiling plans for 3,000 new homes in other West Bank settlements.

Hundreds of officers marched into the Amona outpost near Ramallah to carry out the evictions ordered by the High Court after it determined the homes were built on private Palestinian land.

It marked the end of months of attempts by government hardliners to legalise the outpost, and the announcement of the new homes elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory was widely seen as a sop to their supporters.

There had been fears of violence after hundreds of hardline sympathisers of the settlers slipped past army roadblocks on foot and lit tyres around the outpost.

Some threw stones at the media as residents started packing their belongings, an AFP correspondent reported.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP there were around 3,000 officers in and around Amona to move the 42 families, &quot;and hopefully people will evacuate the area peacefully and quietly.&quot;

He estimated that another 600 people who were not from the outpost had arrived for the eviction.

&quot;We&#39;re hoping that things will go relatively calmly and quietly. We&#39;re ready to respond if necessary to any violence,&quot; he said.

Youth confronted the forces with chants such as &quot;How will you feel tomorrow after you evacuate a Jew from his home?&quot; and &quot;Today it&#39;s me, tomorrow it will be you,&quot; as police began evacuating them from the area.

Earlier, some women holding children left their homes, as youths barricaded themselves inside.

Teenage girls wrote slogans about their right to the land of Israel on the walls of the caravan homes, soon to be demolished.

Protesters said that they would not leave willingly but that they would not resort to violence against the police.

&quot;We won&#39;t be going, they&#39;ll have to take us,&quot; Amona resident Rivka Lafair, 19, told AFP.

Far-right lawmaker Moti Yogev, whose Jewish Home party is part of Israel&#39;s governing coalition, joined the settlers in a show of solidarity.

He told AFP that the demolition of the outpost was &quot;a bad decision&quot; but that the new homes announced by the defence ministry late on Tuesday were some compensation.

&quot;Yes, Amona will be destroyed, but against Amona we are going to build 3,000 new homes,&quot; he said.

The former US administration of Barack Obama despaired of Israel&#39;s accelerating settlement expansion which it regarded as the biggest obstacle to Middle East peace.

&#39;New era&#39;&nbsp;

But since Donald Trump took office with top aides sympathetic to the settlement enterprise, the government has announced a string of new projects that will add more than 6,000 homes for Jewish settlers.

According to the defence ministry&#39;s statement, 2,000 of the latest new homes are ready to be put on the market, while the rest are in various stages of planning.

&quot;We&#39;re in a new era where life in Judaea and Samaria (the West Bank) is returning to its natural course,&quot; said Defence Minister Avidor Lieberman, who has himself long lived in a West Bank settlement.

Speaking at West Bank city Ariel on Wednesday, Lieberman said his heart was with the Amona settlers, but stressed their protest must &quot;remain within the law.&quot;

Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement neighbourhoods of annexed east Jerusalem and 5,502 more elsewhere in the West Bank.

On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem.&nbsp;

They had been frozen under pressure from the Obama administration, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.

Trump has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu&#39;s government has moved quickly to take advantage.

&quot;We are building and we will continue building,&quot; Netanyahu said last week.

The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering &quot;significant opportunities&quot; after facing &quot;huge pressures&quot; from Obama.

The accelerated settlement expansion has deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The international community considers all Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land as illegal and regards their construction as the biggest obstacle to a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

But in a significant break with the Obama administration, Trump&#39;s White House has not condemned any of the four settlement expansions announced by Israel since he took office.

Israel's High Court ruled the settlers had been living illegally on privately-owned Palestinian land.

Israeli police began evicting dozens of hardline Jewish settlers from a wildcat outpost on Wednesday, just hours after unveiling plans for 3,000 new homes in other West Bank settlements. Hundreds of officers marched into the Amona outpost near Ramallah to carry out the evictions ordered by the High Court after it determined the homes were built on private Palestinian land. It marked the end of months of attempts by government hardliners to legalise the outpost, and the announcement of the new homes elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory was widely seen as a sop to their supporters. There had been fears of violence after hundreds of hardline sympathisers of the settlers slipped past army roadblocks on foot and lit tyres around the outpost. Some threw stones at the media as residents started packing their belongings, an AFP correspondent reported. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP there were around 3,000 officers in and around Amona to move the 42 families, "and hopefully people will evacuate the area peacefully and quietly." He estimated that another 600 people who were not from the outpost had arrived for the eviction. "We're hoping that things will go relatively calmly and quietly. We're ready to respond if necessary to any violence," he said. Youth confronted the forces with chants such as "How will you feel tomorrow after you evacuate a Jew from his home?" and "Today it's me, tomorrow it will be you," as police began evacuating them from the area. Earlier, some women holding children left their homes, as youths barricaded themselves inside. Teenage girls wrote slogans about their right to the land of Israel on the walls of the caravan homes, soon to be demolished. Protesters said that they would not leave willingly but that they would not resort to violence against the police. "We won't be going, they'll have to take us," Amona resident Rivka Lafair, 19, told AFP. Far-right lawmaker Moti Yogev, whose Jewish Home party is part of Israel's governing coalition, joined the settlers in a show of solidarity. He told AFP that the demolition of the outpost was "a bad decision" but that the new homes announced by the defence ministry late on Tuesday were some compensation. "Yes, Amona will be destroyed, but against Amona we are going to build 3,000 new homes," he said. The former US administration of Barack Obama despaired of Israel's accelerating settlement expansion which it regarded as the biggest obstacle to Middle East peace. 'New era' But since Donald Trump took office with top aides sympathetic to the settlement enterprise, the government has announced a string of new projects that will add more than 6,000 homes for Jewish settlers. According to the defence ministry's statement, 2,000 of the latest new homes are ready to be put on the market, while the rest are in various stages of planning. "We're in a new era where life in Judaea and Samaria (the West Bank) is returning to its natural course," said Defence Minister Avidor Lieberman, who has himself long lived in a West Bank settlement. Speaking at West Bank city Ariel on Wednesday, Lieberman said his heart was with the Amona settlers, but stressed their protest must "remain within the law." Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement neighbourhoods of annexed east Jerusalem and 5,502 more elsewhere in the West Bank. On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem. They had been frozen under pressure from the Obama administration, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution. Trump has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage. "We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week. The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama. The accelerated settlement expansion has deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community considers all Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land as illegal and regards their construction as the biggest obstacle to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. But in a significant break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned any of the four settlement expansions announced by Israel since he took office.

Israel announces 3,000 new homes in West bank, evicts Jewish settlers from illegal outpost