Israel has announced the approval of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking the largest increase in decades. According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, these settlements will legalize several existing outposts that were previously constructed without official authorization. The controversial decision has already drawn sharp criticism, as the international community predominantly considers these settlements illegal under international law—a stance disputed by Israeli authorities.
Katz framed the expansion as a necessary step to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state, claiming it poses a potential risk to Israel's security. In contrast, the Palestinian presidency condemned the move as a "dangerous escalation," reflecting the ongoing tensions between the two parties. The anti-settlement organization Peace Now argued that this development would further entrench Israeli occupation and significantly alter the landscape of the West Bank.
Since the 1967 Middle East war, when Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it has established around 160 settlements, which accommodate approximately 700,000 Jewish residents. These territories are sought by Palestinians as a vital part of their future state, exacerbating an already fraught relationship between the two groups as they navigate a complex web of historical grievances and territorial disputes.
Katz framed the expansion as a necessary step to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state, claiming it poses a potential risk to Israel's security. In contrast, the Palestinian presidency condemned the move as a "dangerous escalation," reflecting the ongoing tensions between the two parties. The anti-settlement organization Peace Now argued that this development would further entrench Israeli occupation and significantly alter the landscape of the West Bank.
Since the 1967 Middle East war, when Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it has established around 160 settlements, which accommodate approximately 700,000 Jewish residents. These territories are sought by Palestinians as a vital part of their future state, exacerbating an already fraught relationship between the two groups as they navigate a complex web of historical grievances and territorial disputes.
