Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel planned to build a “Jewish Israeli state” in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya.
Katz’s remarks follow Israel’s announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank.
“This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,” Katz said.
Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground.
Recognizing Palestinian State
Last week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that France was “determined” to recognize a Palestinian State, according to France 24.
Barrot also condemned Israel’s “indefensible” situation in Gaza caused by its heavy airstrikes and blockade of humanitarian aid.
“We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So, all this must stop, and that’s why we are determined to recognize a Palestinian state,” Barrot told France Inter radio.
In this regard, he also emphasized that Paris supported a Netherlands-led initiative for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel.
“And I am actively working towards this, because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians but also for the security of Israel,” he added.
Barrot’s statement came after French President Emmanuel Macron joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a rare joint statement that made Israel very angry.
The participating states said that they would not stand by “further concrete actions” if Israel continued to block aid. Furthermore, they stressed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state.
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