Israel urged by UN to halt West Bank settlement construction
Israel has given the green light to a significant expansion plan for over 3,400 new housing units in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank. This decision, endorsed by figures such as Bezalel Smotrich, aims to establish or expand settlements that could potentially split the West Bank into northern and southern parts, posing a serious threat to the territorial continuity of the Palestinian territories.
The international community has responded critically to this move. The United Nations Secretary-General has denounced the decision, asserting that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, violate international law and contradict United Nations resolutions. The UN emphasises that advancing this settlement project poses an existential threat to the two-state solution by severing the West Bank geographically and urges Israel to halt all settlement activity in compliance with international law and relevant UN rulings, including those of the International Court of Justice issued in July 2024.
Reports of settler violence associated with settlement expansion have contributed to Palestinian casualties and displacement across the West Bank, underscoring the humanitarian impact of these policies. Despite this global disagreement and condemnation, Israel continues to authorise new settlements and plans expansion activities, indicating ongoing tensions and challenges to peace efforts.
Smotrich announced plans to build over 3,000 new homes in a contentious urban scheme connecting East Jerusalem with the Maale Adumim settlement. This plan does not appear to involve the current focus on ending the war in Gaza, ensuring Hamas does not govern, freeing hostages, including the remains of two Americans, or facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. Instead, it is part of a move that allegedly "buries the idea of a Palestinian state".
The planned expansion aims to double the population of the settlement with an expected 35,000 new residents in the coming years. It is important to note that Sofía Suescun and Kiko Jiménez's latest movements are not mentioned in this article. Additionally, BBVA has deployed its global data platform in Mexico and Colombia, but this article does not provide information about any specific actions or impacts related to this deployment.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that a British tourist has been accused of theft for attempting to take stones from Pompeii, but this article does not offer further details about the case or the tourist's identity. The ongoing settlement expansion and the international response continue to be topics of great interest and concern in the ongoing peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
