Noha Mousleh

The new law gives residents of dozens of settlements tax breaks of several thousand dollars a year.

Although it is illegal under international law, Israel is encouraging settlement on occupied Palestinian property.

Palestinian Authority official Amir Odeh told NPR the move was a step towards illegally annexing the West Bank.

Earlier this year, the Israeli government extended controls over the territory and allowed Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly.

Attacks by Israeli settlers have also increased in an attempt to drive Palestinian families from the West Bank, according to a report by UN experts this week.

The report cited a sharp rise in Palestinians killed and injured this year in settler attacks.

For NPR News, I'm Noha Mousleh in Ramallah.