Israel on Thursday announced it would create 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank accelerating its ongoing expansion into the Palestinian territory. The settlements are considered illegal under international law
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Thursday the creation in the occupiedWest Bankof 22 new settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
"We have made a historic decision for the development of settlements: 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, renewing settlement in the north of Samaria, and reinforcing the eastern axis of the State ofIsrael," the minister said on X, using the Israeli term for the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.
He added it was also a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.
"Next step: sovereignty!" Smotrich said.
In a statement on Telegram, theLikudparty of Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahucalled the move a "once-in-a-generation decision", saying the initiative had been led by Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz and approved by the security cabinet.
"The decision also includes the establishment of four communities along the eastern border withJordan, as part of strengthening Israel's eastern backbone, national security and strategic grip on the area," it said.
The party published a map showing the 22 sites spread across the territory.
Israel has already built well over 100 settlements across the territory that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small hilltop outposts to fully developed communities with apartment blocks, shopping malls, factories and public parks.
The West Bank is home to 3 million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule with the Western-backedPalestinian Authorityadministering population centers. The settlers have Israeli citizenship.
Israel has accelerated settlement construction in recent years long beforeHamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in Gaza confining Palestinians to smaller and smaller areas of the West Bank and making the prospect of establishing a viable, independent state even more remote.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are condemned by the United Nations as one of the main obstacles to a lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
The announcement comes ahead of an international conference to be led byFranceandSaudi Arabiaat UN headquarters in New York next month, which is meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict.
It also comes after US envoySteve Witkoffsaid Wednesday he had "very good feelings" about the prospects for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, adding that he expected to send out a new proposal imminently.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
Originally published on France24
