Israel Greenlights Massive Expansion of Illegal West Bank Settlements
In a move that has drawn international attention, Israel’s far-right government has given its approval for the construction of thousands of homes in illegal settlements located in the occupied West Bank, according to Reuters.
The decision comes despite pressure from the United States to halt the construction of approximately 5,700 additional housing units, which Washington considers an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.
Israel’s Supreme Planning Council has granted approval for the construction plans in various areas of the West Bank, earning praise from Jewish settler leadership. Among the units, 818 have received final assent, while others are in different stages of approval.
Shlomo Ne’man, the head of the West Bank Gush Etzion Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, expressed gratitude to the Israeli government for its continued development of Israeli settlements. He described it as a fitting response to those who seek to undermine Israel, particularly in challenging times.
Most countries view the settlements, built on land captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as illegal. The presence of these settlements remains a fundamental issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While Palestinians strive to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, Israeli settlers cite historical Jewish connections to the land. Peace negotiations brokered by the United States have been stalled since 2014.
Since assuming office in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has advanced more than 7,000 new housing units, with many situated deep in the West Bank.
In response to the recent developments, the settlement watchdog group Peace Now issued a statement, asserting that the Israeli government is propelling the West Bank towards full annexation at an unprecedented pace.
The West Bank has witnessed a surge of violence in recent weeks, including attacks by scores of Israeli settlers on Palestinian towns and villages, drawing international condemnation and raising concerns even within the White House.
