Israeli West Bank settler population passes 500,000

Israel's West Bank settler population now makes up more than half-a-million people, a pro-settler group said Thursday. The report showed the settler population grew to 502,991 as of Jan. 1, rising more than 2.5% in 12 months and nearly 16% over the last five years.

The milestone comes as Israel’s new government has placed expanding settlements at the top of its priority list. The settler population report does not include annexed east Jerusalem, home to more than 200,000 settlers. The West Bank and east Jerusalem are together home to some 3 million Palestinians.