Israeli Parliament has given preliminary approval to a revised bill that would legalise thousands of homes built in the occupied West Bank. Lawmakers advanced the bill yesterday in a 60-49 vote. The bill is a revised version of legislation initially devised to avoid demolishing the Amona outpost, which was built without permission on Palestinian land. <br/><br/>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his coalition is advancing the initiative because settlements are dear to Israel. Around 4,000 settler homes, which were built without permission, will be legitimised if it goes ahead. However, the bill must receive more approvals before becoming law.