Israel Approves 19 New Settlements in the Occupied West Bank

Israel's security cabinet has recently approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, part of an ongoing expansion strategy by the Israeli government. This decision marks a continuation of the government's push to increase its presence in the region, which is already home to about 700,000 Israeli settlers residing in approximately 160 settlements, according to the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's Finance Minister and a prominent figure in the far-right coalition government, stated that the decision was aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. "On the ground, we are blocking the establishment of a Palestinian terror state," Smotrich asserted, as he outlined the government's commitment to developing and settling what he described as their ancestral land.

The international community largely views Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law. This viewpoint has been reiterated by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who described the expansion of settlements as "relentless." He indicated that such actions exacerbate existing tensions, limit Palestinian access to land, and jeopardise the feasibility of a sovereign Palestinian state.

The announcement of new settlements comes in the wake of heightened violence in the occupied West Bank, which has surged since the escalation of conflict in Gaza began in October 2023. The ongoing hostilities have raised concerns that further expansion of settlements could entrench Israel's military occupation and diminish prospects for a two-state solution.

The two-state solution refers to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the borders that existed prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. However, the current Israeli government's actions appear to be in stark contrast to this diplomatic framework.

Since assuming office in 2022, the Israeli government has significantly increased the approval of new settlements. The recent decision to recognise 19 new settlements brings the total number of newly approved settlements over the past three years to 69. Among these, two settlements—Ganim and Kadim—are set to be re-established after being dismantled nearly two decades ago.

In May, the Israeli government approved 22 new settlements, marking the largest expansion in decades. Additionally, plans were announced in August for the construction of more than 3,000 homes in the E1 area, a contentious project situated between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement that had been previously stalled amid widespread international opposition.

Smotrich had claimed that the E1 plan would effectively "bury the idea of a Palestinian state." This sentiment aligns with the growing anxiety among Arab nations, which have condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements as detrimental to the prospect of a two-state solution.

The Israeli government's recent moves have occurred despite calls from the international community, including the United States, urging restraint and a renewed focus on peace negotiations. In September, the United Kingdom, along with countries such as Australia and Canada, recognised a Palestinian state, a significant yet largely symbolic shift in diplomatic policy that Israel has firmly opposed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that a Palestinian state "will not happen".