Israel Unveils Largest West Bank Settlement Expansion with 22 New Sites
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a figure from the far-right political spectrum, has declared the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. These settlements are deemed illegal under international law.
In a significant move regarding settlements, Bezalel Smotrich announced the establishment of 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, including efforts to renew settlement activities in the northern areas of Samaria and strengthen the eastern axis of Israel. The announcement was made via Smotrich’s social media account using terminology reflecting Israeli perspectives on the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Minister of Military Affairs, Israel Katz, announced that the expansion plan will significantly alter the landscape of the region and influence the future of settlements for the foreseeable future.
In a declaration on Telegram, the right-wing Likud party, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the action as a “once-in-a-generation decision.” The party indicated that the initiative was spearheaded by Smotrich and Katz.
The political party has unveiled a map highlighting 22 locations distributed throughout the region.
Since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, more than 230 settlements have been established, now home to hundreds of thousands of Israelis.
The United Nations Security Council has consistently condemned Israel’s expansion of settlements within the occupied territories, declaring all Israeli settlements as violations of international law through multiple resolutions.
Palestinian authorities are advocating for the West Bank to be included as part of a prospective sovereign nation, with East al-Quds designated as the capital.
**Hamas Criticism Intensifies**
Hamas issued a strong condemnation of the action, describing it as “further confirmation that the criminal Zionist occupation is imposing facts on the ground by rapidly advancing steps to Judaize Palestinian territories as part of a clear annexation project.”
A Palestinian group has issued a statement condemning the actions as a flagrant disregard for international consensus and a serious breach of international law, as well as United Nations resolutions.
The Gaza-based organization has urged the international community to implement concrete actions in response to annexation and settlement expansion policies, which it described as constituting a war crime.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has condemned the action, describing it as part of a colonial agenda aimed at fully annexing the West Bank, displacing Palestinian residents, and realizing Talmudic aspirations through the imposition of an apartheid regime and the perpetration of ethnic cleansing against Palestinians.
The movement highlighted the international community’s failure to halt the violence in Gaza and its struggles to provide humanitarian assistance.
The statement described these actions as a significant setback for those invested in the reconciliation process or international diplomatic efforts.
In response to the proposed plans, it is asserted that the most viable course of action is resistance, with a particular emphasis on armed resistance. This stance is underscored by the belief that protecting land, rights, and sacred sites is both a legitimate and essential right for the Palestinian people.
