22 July 2021; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has refused to allow the Supreme Planning Council to meet, essentially freezing settlement construction following pressure from the US.
According to Israel Hayom said Bennett's decision means a "complete freeze on future construction" of settlements in the West Bank as long as the Supreme Council is prevented from meeting.
It added that the move was a "demand" by US President Joe Biden's administration.
The Supreme Planning Council is responsible for approving construction plans for settlements' expansion and infrastructure. It normally convenes every three months, and held its last meeting in January.
Bennett denies putting a de facto freeze on settlement construction, highlighting that the body had not met for months under the previous government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu.
