West Bank settlements to be expanded by Israeli authorities
Israel Announces Expansion of West Bank Settlements
Israel has declared the creation of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that could escalate tensions with the international community already strained by the ongoing conflicts in Gaza. The plan also includes legalizing existing settlements built without government approval.
Two of the new settlements, Homesh and Sa-Nur, are particularly significant as they were previously evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's disengagement from Gaza. Their re-settlement signals a shift in Israeli policies towards these contested areas. Four new settlements will be constructed along the Jordan Valley border.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a settler himself, described the decision as "historic," underscoring its significance to Zionist construction and aspirations. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the move reinforces Israel's historical claim to the land. He also outlined that the expansion aims to deter Palestinian terrorism and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state perceived as a threat to Israel.
Critics have condemned the move, with the United Kingdom expressing its disapproval. The expansion is seen by many as undermining prospects for peace by deepening Israeli control over West Bank territories considered occupied under international law.
The decision comes ahead of an international conference, planned by France and Saudi Arabia at the U.N headquarters in New York next month, which aims to reinvigorate discussions about a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Arab media, foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman are expected to visit the West Bank's Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as part of preparations for the conference.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, regularly denounced by the United Nations as illegal under international law, are often cited as a primary obstacle to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The expansion announced by Israel will further cement Israeli presence in the area, raising concerns about the future of a two-state solution.
The Israeli settlement expansion on the West Bank, a controversial move, is perceived as a potential escalation in war-and-conflicts, raising tension with the international community due to its contravention of international law. This decision, carried out against the backdrop of ongoing political debates and general news about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is deemed by critics as undermining efforts towards a two-state solution by reinforcing Israeli control over disputed regions.
