In a significant policy shift, Israeli officials have announced the approval of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking the most extensive expansion in decades. Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that many of these settlements already exist as unauthorized outposts but will now gain legal status under Israeli law.
The expansion of settlements has long been a point of contention, as it is viewed as illegal under international law, a claim that Israel contests. Katz articulated that these developments are crucial to preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state, which he argued poses a threat to Israeli security. In stark contrast, the Palestinian presidency condemned the move as a “dangerous escalation” of ongoing tensions.
Critics, including the Israeli anti-settlement organization Peace Now, have warned that these new settlements will significantly alter the landscape of the West Bank and deepen the occupation. Since the 1967 Middle East War, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements, accommodating around 700,000 Jewish residents on land that Palestinians claim for a future state. This latest announcement marks a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, with potential ramifications for peace efforts in the region.
