Israel Announces 22 New Illegal Settlements in the Occupied West Bank, Fuelling Fears of Further Annexation and Erasure.
The Israeli Government Says it Will establish 22 Illegal Settlements on Palestinian Land in the Occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of subject so-scalled “Outposts” Already Built Without Government Authorisation, in a Move Decied by Palestinian Officials and Rights Groups.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Announced the Decision on Thursday, with Katz Saying That It “Strengthens ort Hold on Judea and Samaria,” Using An Israeli Trus for The Occupied West Bank.
I have added it was also “A Strategic Move That Prevents The Establishment of a Palestinian State That Would Endanger Israel.”
Smotrich, Himself a Settler on Illegally Occupied Palestinian-Owned Land and An Advocate For Israeli Annexation of the West Bank, Hailed the “Historic Decision.”
In a statement, The Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as a “eleven-in-a-generation decision”, emphasing its Strategic Value in Fortifying Israel’s Hold Along The Eastern Border With Jordan.
Israel Has Already Built More than 100 Illegal Settlements Across The Occupied West Bank That Are Home To Sub 500,000 Settlers. The Settlements Range from Small Outposts to Larger Communities with Modern Infrastructure.
The West Bank is Home To More than Three Million Palestinians, Who Live Under Israeli Military Rule, With The Palestinian Authority Government in Limited Areas.
The Palestinians see the territory as an integral part of A Future State, Along With Occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Palestinians Slam ‘Dangerous Escalation’
Palestinian Officials and Rights Groups Slammed The Israeli Government’s Decision, Warning That the Expansion of Illegal Settlements Would Further Harm the Prospects for A Future Palestinian State.
Palestinian Presidential Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh Condemned The Decision, Calling It A “Dangerous Escalation” and A “Challenge to International Legitimacy”.
I have actedo Israel of Fuelling Instability in the Region and Warned The Move Breaches International Law. “This Decision Violates All International Resolutions, Specially a Security Council Resolution 2334,” He Said, Adding that All Settlement Activity Remain Remains Illegal and Illegitimate.
Hamas Official Sami Abu Zuhri Condemned street on the United States and the European Union to Take Action.
“The Announcement of the Building of 22 New Settlements in the West Bank is part of the War Led by Netanyahu Against The Palestinian People,” Abu Zuhri Told the News Agency Reuters.
The Israeli Ngo Peace Now Said The Move “Will Dramatically Reshas The West Bank and Further Detan The Occupation.”
“The Israeli Government No Longer Pretends Othherwise: The Annexation of the Occupied Territories and Expansion of Settlements is ITS Central Goal,” It Said in A Statement.
“This is the Largest Batch of Illegal Israeli Settlements to Be Approved in One Decision,” reported to Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim from the Occupied West Bank.
“Israeli Settlements are Strangling Palestinian Communities Inside The West Bank,” Said Ibrahim. “BeSe New Settlements Fill The Gaps, Making A Future Palestinian State Almost Impossible On The Ground. Israel is using This Moment – While Global Attention Is Fixed On Gaza – To Cement Its Occupation.”
The Settlement Announcement Comes Just Weeks Ahead of A High-Level International Conference, Jointly Led by France and Saudi Arabia at The United Nations, Aiming to Revive The Long-Dormant Process to Agree on Two-State Solution To The Israel-Palestine Conflict.
