In a controversial move, Israeli ministers have announced the approval of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking the most significant expansion in decades. The settlements, many of which previously existed as unauthorized outposts, will now be retroactively legalized under Israeli law, according to statements made by Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The expansion is viewed as a critical step in consolidating Israeli presence in the region, with Katz proclaiming that it prevents the potential establishment of a Palestinian state, which he claims could pose a risk to Israel's security. Conversely, the Palestinian presidency has vehemently condemned the move, describing it as a "dangerous escalation" of tensions.
The Israeli anti-settlement advocacy group, Peace Now, articulated grave concerns about the implications of these new settlements, warning that they will "dramatically reshape the West Bank" and further entrench the ongoing occupation. This decision adds to the existing landscape of approximately 160 settlements that have been constructed since the 1967 Middle East War, which saw Israel seize control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem—territories that Palestinians seek for their future state.
The expanding footprint of Israeli settlements continues to be a focal point of contention between Israelis and Palestinians, complicating the prospects for peace and exacerbating an already fraught environment in the region.
