Tel Aviv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Thursday, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that Israel’s administration has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. This decision may heighten tensions with certain allies, who have warned of potential sanctions if expansion continues.
He stated that settlements will be established in the northern region of the West Bank, but he did not specify their exact locations. Israeli media reported that the Defense Ministry stated existing outposts would be legalized and new Jewish settlements would be constructed.
How many new settlements were approved by Israel?
Approximately 700,000 Jewish settlers live alongside 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel from Jordan during the 1967 conflict. Although Israel subsequently annexed East Jerusalem—an action that most countries do not recognise—it has not officially applied its sovereignty to the West Bank.
The growth of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including occupied East Jerusalem, is seen by Palestinians as a hindrance to their aspiration for an independent state.
What has been the international response to new settlements?
On the other hand, an increasing number of European nations are calling for Israel to conclude the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, this month, Britain, France, and Canada cautioned Israel that they might impose targeted sanctions if it persists in expanding settlements in the West Bank.
Many in the international community view Jewish settlements as illegal. Netanyahu’s administration regards these settlements as legal according to its own regulations, though some so-called “outposts” are unlawful yet continually tolerated and sometimes allowed later on.
Settlement activity in the West Bank has surged significantly since the onset of the Gaza war, now in its 20th month. This increase coincides with rising Israeli military operations targeting Palestinian militants and a growing number of settler attacks on Palestinian residents.
What reactions came from Palestinian leaders and Hamas?
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, labelled Israel’s decision as a perilous escalation, claiming the administration is perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability in the region.
“This the extremist Israeli administration is making every effort to obstruct the creation of an independent Palestinian state,” he said. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, denounced the announcement and urged the US and the EU to respond.
