The Israeli Occupation Authorities on Monday approved the construction of over 200 new settlement units in Kochav Yaakov ultra-orthodox settlement near Jerusalem.

The move comes a week before President Trump, who has previously criticized Israeli settlements in the territories, visits the region.

According to Haaretz newspaper, the construction plans were approved in the 1980s, says regional council chairman Avi Roeh. Roeh, who now heads the politically-influential, settler Yesha Council, says this is simply an old, legitimate plan that got derailed due to a developer’s bankruptcy.

“It’s a project with an approved urban plan of 1,200 units, of which 750 have been built,” Roeh told Haaretz.

Source: PNN