Jerusalem (CNN) Israel's parliament passed legislation Monday that aims to legalize about 3,000 housing units built on private Palestinian land in the West Bank. Many of the housing units are located in outposts, the term for small, unsanctioned communities that have sprung up in the West Bank over the last 20 years. Officials from both sides of the debate characterized the vote as a clear step toward annexation of the West Bank. PLO condemns voteUnder international law, all settlements and outposts are illegal because the West Bank is considered occupied territory, though Israel disputes this. "All Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine are illegal and a war crime regardless of any law passed by the Israeli parliament or any decision taken by any Israeli judge.

Source: CNN February 06, 2017 21:33 UTC