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Israel's security cabinet greenlights 19 new West Bank settlements
Israel's security cabinet has approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move criticized by the international community as illegal and detrimental to peace efforts. The decision, proposed by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, aims to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state, according to Smotrich.
International law and condemnation
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are widely regarded as illegal under international law. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Israel's "relentless" settlement expansion exacerbates tensions, restricts Palestinian access to land, and jeopardizes the feasibility of a sovereign Palestinian state. Saudi Arabia also condemned the move, reflecting broader Arab opposition.
Escalating violence and settlement growth
Violence in the West Bank has intensified since the Gaza war began in October 2023, raising concerns that settlement expansion could deepen Israel's occupation and undermine the two-state solution. The two-state solution envisions a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders.
Record expansion under current government
Since taking office in 2022, Israel's current government has accelerated settlement approvals, including the legalization of unauthorized outposts. The latest decision brings the total number of settlements approved in the past three years to 69, according to Smotrich. The UN recently reported that settlement expansion has reached its highest level since 2017.
The approvals include the re-establishment of two settlements, Ganim and Kadim, which were dismantled nearly two decades ago. In May, Israel approved 22 new settlements, marking the largest expansion in decades. Additionally, plans for over 3,000 homes in the E1 project between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim were approved in August, a project long frozen due to international opposition.
Political and diplomatic fallout
Smotrich has repeatedly stated that such moves are designed to "bury the idea of a Palestinian state." Approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers currently live in around 160 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Palestinians claim for a future state. Arab nations have consistently warned that settlement expansion undermines the prospects for a two-state solution and raises fears of annexation.
Former US President Donald Trump previously cautioned Israel against annexing the West Bank, suggesting it would lead to a loss of US support. In September, the UK, along with Australia and Canada, formally recognized a Palestinian state, a symbolic but significant shift in policy. Israel rejected the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that a Palestinian state "will not happen."
What's next
The approval of new settlements is expected to further strain Israel's relations with the international community, particularly with Western allies. Diplomatic pressure and potential sanctions may follow as tensions continue to rise in the region.
