Israeli College in West Bank Recognized as a University

An Israeli college in the West Bank settlement of Ariel was recognized today as a university by the Judea and Samaria Council for Higher Education, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a text message.

“This is a day of celebration in Ariel, and a day of celebration for higher education in Israel,” Netanyahu said in the message.

Judea and Samaria are biblical names for the West Bank.

The United Nations and other international bodies have said Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law against construction on occupied territory. The U.S. has asked Israel to freeze such construction and the Palestinian Authority has said it will not negotiate directly with Netanyahu’s government unless it does so.

To contact the reporter on this story: Calev Ben-David in Jerusalem at cbendavid@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story Andrew J. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net