Israeli settlers visit Dubai to discuss business ties
Palestinian officials are angry the Gulf state welcomed Israeli settlers from the West Bank.
A delegation of Israeli settlers from the West Bank is currently in Dubai to forge business ties with Emiratis. Palestinian officials are angry the United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed the group because the West Bank is considered occupied Palestinian territory.
The group included members of the Samaria Regional Council, which represents settlers in the northern West Bank. The delegation met with agriculture, pest control and plastic businesses, with the goal of increasing cooperation on water desalination and agronomy in particular, The Associated Press reported.
Israel captured the West Bank, which has a majority Palestinian population, from Jordan in 1967. Most of the international community recognizes the territory as occupied by Israel. Thousands of Jewish Israelis now live in various settlements across the territory.
The Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers parts of the West Bank not controlled by the Israeli military, adamantly opposes the settlements and believes they hinder Palestinian self-determination.
