This huge expansion has been achieved largely through the construction of settler-only bypass roads and military zones which serve to integrate the settlements with Israel proper.What was interim during Oslo has become formalised during the intifada, says Yehezkel Lein, a B'Tselem researcher.
Israel says it will offer a temporary freeze but with significant caveats, including the continued construction of 3,000 settler homes, as well as continued building in east Jerusalem settlements and of all public projects in settlements.
However, disagreement over the construction of new settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has dogged the negotiations.
Since Trump took office last month, Netanyahu has approved construction of 6,000 settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, drawing international condemnation which the White House did not join.
"These are partial demolitions and replacing Palestinian families in order to allow for a construction of a settler-inspired pseudo-Biblical park.
His trip comes at a time of rare crisis in relations between Israel and the US, triggered by Israeli approval earlier this month for the construction of hundreds of settler homes in Jerusalem.
In recent weeks, Netanyahu has approved the construction of thousands of settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Palestinians say undermine any commitment to Palestinian statehood.
Israel's relentless construction of settlements and settler-only roads in the West Bank has resulted in the confiscation of Palestinian land, the demolition of Palestinian homes, the destruction of Palestinian agriculture, the outright theft of Palestinian water resources, the displacement of Palestinian families and the disruption of Palestinian territorial contiguity and social cohesion.
The resumption of talks was preceded by the Israeli government's announcement of the construction of some 2,000 new settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
