The BBC reports a legal process has begun that could see four settlement outposts given approval under Israeli law.
The Israeli government is taking steps to authorise four new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The BBC reports a legal process has begun that could see four settlement outposts given approval under Israeli law.
The Israeli Supreme Court has received a document from the government saying it is examining ways to authorise four settlement outposts in the West Bank.
The outposts are Givat Assaf, east of the Palestinian city of Ramallah, which was previously ordered to be demolished; Haroeh, north of Ramallah; Maale Rehavam, east of Bethlehem; and Mitzpe Lachish, south of Hebron.
The last round of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down two years ago over the issue of settlements.
Under international law all of the settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal. Israel disputes this.
Last week, Israel announced that it has given preliminary approval for nearly 300 new settler housing units in Beit El, to re-house settlers from another nearby outpost, Ulpana.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on 21 and 22 May to try to revive peace talks. It will be his fourth visit to the region this year.
The court move has been condemned by Palestinian officials:
"The timing is very significant because it's a direct affront to all efforts at trying to revive any kind of peace negotiations. It's an attempt to tell the Americans that Israel calls the shots," PLO official Hanan Ashrawi told the BBC.
"It's also a message about the true nature of this Israeli coalition government. It's an anti-peace government."
