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West Bank settlement population growing rapidly


JERUSALEM (AFP) -- The population in Israel's illegal West Bank settlements has grown twice as much as in Israel itself, military radio said on Tuesday, quoting official statistics.

The figures released by the interior ministry are likely to add to Palestinian misgivings about resuming peace talks in Washington last week with the Israelis. The talks broke down three years ago over the settlement issue.

According to the radio, the figures show an increase of 7,700 settlers in the occupied West Bank during the first six month of 2013 for a total settler population of 367,000.

This represents a 2.1 percent increase in six months compared to an annual population growth of two percent registered in Israel.

The number of settlers in West Bank outposts that could be dismantled as part of an eventual peace agreement between Israel and the PLO rose by 1.7 percent in the first half of the year, the report added.

The Israeli government on Sunday added 20 settlements to a list drawn up in 2009 of Jewish communities prioritized for aid. more

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