Daijiworld Media Network- Jerusalem
Jerusalem, May 29: In a decision that is likely to escalate regional tensions and draw sharp global rebuke, Israel has approved the establishment of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The announcement, made on Thursday by Defence Minister Israel Katz, includes the formal legalization of previously unauthorised outposts.
Describing the move as a decisive response to Palestinian militancy, Katz said, “This step strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria, anchors our historical right in the Land of Israel, and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism.” He added that the decision would also serve to block the creation of a Palestinian state, which he termed a security threat to Israel.
The announcement marks yet another flashpoint in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War — territories that the Palestinians view as essential for a future independent state.
International bodies, including the United Nations and European Union, have consistently condemned Israeli settlement activities in the occupied territories, calling them violations of international law and a major obstacle to peace. Despite this, Israel continues to expand its footprint across the West Bank, home now to approximately 500,000 Israeli settlers spread across over 100 communities.
These settlements, ranging from remote hilltop outposts to large towns with shopping centers, parks, and full infrastructure, coexist unequally alongside 3 million Palestinians, who remain under Israeli military control. While settlers enjoy full Israeli citizenship and state services, Palestinians face restrictions on movement, legal disadvantages, and inadequate infrastructure.
The decision comes amid an aggressive uptick in settlement activities, further fuelled by the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Analysts say the new settlement approvals could further complicate peace efforts and strain Israel’s relations with key allies, including the United States.
The Palestinian Authority, already weakened by internal divisions and growing public discontent, has condemned the Israeli move as a blatant land grab aimed at undermining hopes of a two-state solution.
As international stakeholders watch closely, the future of dialogue and diplomacy in the region faces another critical challenge.