Israeli group: Israeli settlement activities on the rise

An official from the Israeli Peace Now movement said that settlement activities have continued to grow in the West Bank following the appointment of Moshe Arens as defense minister two weeks ago.

The Peace Now official, Mousa Ras, said Israeli settlers intensified their activities by building settlements illegally and without any deterrence.

Ras referred to different areas in Nablus where settlers occupied neighboring hills and began to construct movable houses and supports for new housing units.

A Defense Ministry source said Arens' support for expanding settlements was in line with decisions made by the Likud government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Arens, earlier said the continuation of settlement is an objective committed to by all Israeli governments.