Israeli PM Pledges No More New Settlements in West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Sunday that new settlements will not be built in the West Bank.

During the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the government is planning to dismantle unauthorized settlement outposts in the territories.

Also at the meeting, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that settlers will be evicted forcefully if they resist.

"We evacuated three outposts, we have reached an agreement with another one. We didn't allow the building of any other outposts and the remaining 22 outposts should be dealt with in the right and responsible way. First of all we need to try and maximize the chances of reaching an agreement by talking and if we will fail we will do it in a one-sided way by using force."

Data from the local organization of Peace Now show more than 280,000 Israeli settlers are living in the occupied West Bank and some 200,000 living in settlements in annexed east Jerusalem.