http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,6119,2-10-1462_1436339,00.htmlIsrael was accused on Monday of breaching the terms of the Middle East peace "roadmap" after granting "permanent settlement" status to at least five illegal outposts in the West Bank.
A senior advisor to Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said the decision would allow the settlements to obtain grants for education and infrastructure projects as well as making them eligible for protection by security forces.
"We need to give the minimum services to these people who are on the ground, especially for security and education," Ron Sheshner, senior advisor to Mofaz on settlements, told Israeli radio.
"These people must be able to survive and we will provide them a solution."
In addition, the radio reported that parliament's finance commission would unlock about $29m worth of funds to build apartments in West Bank settlements.