The Israeli government has decided to establish 22 settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of some so-called “outposts” already built without government authorization.
Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the decision, with Katz saying that it “strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria,” using an Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.
He added that it was also “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.”
Smotrich, himself a settler on illegally occupied Palestinian-owned land and an advocate for Israeli annexation of the West Bank, hailed the “historic decision.”
In a post on X, Smotrich dismissed criticism of the move, saying Israel was not seizing foreign lands but reclaiming “the inheritance of our fathers.”
“This is a great day for settlement and an important day for the State of Israel. Through hard work and tenacious leadership, we have succeeded in creating a profound strategic change, returning the State of Israel to a path of construction, Zionism, and vision.
“Settlement in the land of our ancestors is the protective wall of the State of Israel – today we have taken a huge step to strengthen it. The next step – sovereignty!”
Bezalel Smotrich
In a statement, the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as a “once-in-a-generation decision,” emphasising its strategic value in fortifying Israel’s hold along the eastern border with Jordan.
It added that the decision also includes the establishment of four communities along the eastern border with Jordan, as part of strengthening Israel’s eastern backbone, national security and strategic grip on the area.
Israel has already built more than 100 illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small outposts to larger communities with modern infrastructure.
The West Bank is home to more than three million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority governing in limited areas.
The Palestinians see the territory as an integral part of a future state, along with occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza.
The settlement announcement comes just weeks ahead of a high-level international conference, jointly led by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, aiming to revive the long-dormant process to agree a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Israel’s Expansion Of Settlements In Occupied West Bank Slammed
Palestinian officials and rights groups slammed the Israeli government’s decision, warning that the expansion of illegal settlements would further harm the prospects for a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian presidential spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeineh condemned the decision, calling it a “dangerous escalation” and a “challenge to international legitimacy.”
He accused Israel of fuelling instability in the region and warned the move breaches international law. “This decision violates all international resolutions, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2334,” he said, adding that all settlement activity remains illegal and illegitimate.
He also called on Washington to intervene to halt “Israeli tampering” with what he said had implications for the entire region.
Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri also called on the United States and the European Union to take action. “The announcement of the building of 22 new settlements in the West Bank is part of the war led by Netanyahu against the Palestinian people,” Abu Zuhri told a news agency.
The Israeli NGO Peace Now said the move “will dramatically reshape the West Bank and further entrench the occupation.” “The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal,” it said in a statement.
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