“Barter deal” in which Israel would allot building permits for both Jews and Palestinians, is rejected by the PA, costing Palestinians over 1300 permits

Official PA TV News, on PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh’s speech during a weekly PA governmental meeting held in Bethlehem

PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh: “The settlement plans that Israel has announced and is announcing place before the world, and especially the US, a great responsibility to stand up and confront the accomplished facts that Israel is systematically imposing. The [PA] government rejects presenting the matter as if it is a barter deal of giving permits to build 1,303 Palestinian homes in exchange for permits to build 3,000 settler [housing] units (see note below -Ed.). This issue is unacceptable, because the settlements are an illegitimate attack on our homes, the homes of those who own the land and the right. The world must cause Israel to pay for its aggression against our people.”

The reference to construction permits relates to Israel announcing construction tenders for 1,355 Jewish housing units in the West Bank on Oct. 24, 2021, and approving construction on 1,804 units and advancing 1,326 units in the planning process on Oct. 27, 2021. Israel also made known its plans to give permits for 1,300 housing units for Palestinians in Area C – land under full Israeli administration according to the Oslo Accords.