Israeli parliament moves forward bill to expropriate private Palestinian lands

Israel's parliament on Wednesday gave approval to a controversial bill to legalize dozens of Jewish outposts in the West Bank.

The 58-51 vote was the first reading out of three rounds of votes necessary before the final approval of the bill.

The so-called Regulation Law aims at legalizing dozens of outposts which far-right Israelis constructed in the West Bank over the past 20 years. The outposts are currently illegal under both Israeli and international law.

Under the bill, Israel could expropriate private Palestinian land and allow settlers to remain in homes that were built there.

The Palestinian owners would receive financial compensation.

The bill's main supporter, the pro-settler Jewish Home party, said it is the first step towards official annexation of West Bank lands.

The legislation passed its first test in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, with 60 lawmakers voting in favor in a preliminary reading, and 49 objecting.

Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 during the Mideast War. Almost immediately after, it began settling land with Jews.

The international community never recognized the settlements and Israel's policy of populating the West Bank with Israeli Jews is subject to constant international criticism.

It was estimated that around 350,000 Israelis lived in over 200 settlements and outposts in the West Bank in 2013, according to Israeli human rights organization.

Nevertheless, Israel has never openly annexed the West Bank and has not applied its legislation there.

source: Xinhua