A file photo of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[/caption]The Israeli regime has resorted to demographic tactics to continue its occupation of the West Bank amid fragile peace talks with the Palestinians.
According to an official report by Yehsa Council, a group representing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the settlements have seen4-percent increase in their population.
The councilsaid the settler population soared to 382,031 as of June 30, up 2 percent from 374,469 recorded on December 31. It added that the projected 4-percent growth would be more than double the Zionist regime's nationwide growth rate.
Dani Dayan, a senior official with the council, said, It is clear that it is a thriving community that is here to stay."
The figures triggered negative reactions from Palestinian officials.Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official,said this growth rate reflects the Israeli regimes support for the presence of the illegal settlements in the ocuupied West Bank.
He added, These numbers released by the settlers council are an indication of Israel's policy of lawlessness, policy of colonization, and land theft, policy of destroying the two-state solution and the chances of peace.
Speculation is rife that theIsraelis regime may bemulling thepolicy of exporting new settlers into the West Bank.
Israel occupied the West Bank during the Six-Day War of 1967. The presence of Zionist settlements in the region has been condemned by international community and it has been a source of tension during the so-called peace talks between the Israeli regime and the Palestinians.
By Press TV
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
