Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared on Thursday plans to establish 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. International law deems these settlements illegal, sparking global concern and condemnation.
“We have made a historic decision to develop settlements, including 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria,” Smotrich stated on X. He emphasized renewing settlement in northern Samaria and strengthening Israel’s eastern axis, using the Israeli term for the West Bank.
Smotrich boldly proclaimed, “Next step: sovereignty!” This statement underscores Israel’s contentious and aggressive settlement expansion policy, which has drawn widespread international criticism and alarm.
Political Backing and Strategic Implications
The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hailed the move as a “once-in-a-generation decision.” Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz spearheaded this initiative, which the security cabinet approved, further solidifying their hardline stance.
“The decision includes establishing four communities along the eastern border with Jordan,” the Likud statement detailed. This move aims to strengthen Israel’s eastern backbone, national security, and strategic grip on the area, according to the party’s official Telegram channel.
The party also published a map illustrating the 22 sites spread across the territory. This visual representation highlights the extensive and controversial nature of the settlement expansion, which many view as a deliberate provocation.
International Condemnation and Diplomatic Efforts
The United Nations condemns Israeli settlements in the West Bank as a major obstacle to lasting peace. These settlements exacerbate tensions and undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution, according to numerous UN resolutions.
This announcement precedes an international conference led by France and Saudi Arabia at UN headquarters in New York. Scheduled for next month, the conference aims to revive the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a goal that seems increasingly elusive.
The timing of this announcement follows US envoy Steve Witkoff’s optimistic remarks about a Gaza ceasefire. Witkoff expressed “very good feelings” about the prospects for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, indicating that a new proposal was imminent.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israel’s settlement expansion casts a shadow over peace negotiations. The international community continues to call for restraint and a return to meaningful dialogue to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.
