Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank

Israel’s security cabinet has approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, as the government continues its push for settlement expansion.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a settler who proposed the move alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz, said the decision was an attempt to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

Saudi Arabia condemned the move. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Israel’s “ruthless” settlement expansion is exacerbating tensions, limiting Palestinian access to land and threatening the viability of a sovereign Palestinian state.

A surge in violence in the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023 has further fueled concerns that settlement expansion could entrench Israeli occupation and undermine a two-state solution.

The two-state solution involves establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with east Jerusalem as its capital, broadly along the lines that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Since taking power in 2022, Israel’s current government has significantly increased its approval of new settlements and begun the process of legalizing unauthorized outposts, recognizing them as “neighbourhoods” of existing settlements.

Smotrich said the latest decision brings the total number of settlements approved in the past three years to 69.

Just days ago, the United Nations said settlement expansion had reached its highest level since 2017.

The latest approvals include the reconstruction of two settlements – Ghanim and Khadim – which were demolished nearly 20 years ago.

in May, Israel approves 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, its largest expansion in decades.

The Israeli government also approved in August plans to build more than 3,000 homes in the so-called E1 project between Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim, which has been frozen for decades amid strong international opposition.

Smotrich said at the time that the plan would “bury the idea of ​​Palestinian statehood.”

According to the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now, some 700,000 settlers live in about 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This is the land where Palestinians seek a future independent state.

The expansion of settlements has angered Arab states, who have said it undermines prospects for a two-state solution.

It also raised concerns about possible annexation of the occupied West Bank.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Israel of the move, telling Time magazine that Israel would lose all U.S. support if it happened.

In September, Britain joined other countries such as Australia and Canada in recognizing the Palestinian state, a significant but symbolic change in government policy.

Israel opposes the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying a Palestinian state “will not happen.”