Israel Approves Dozens of New West Bank Settlements

Israel’s security cabinet has approved the establishment of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to The Times of Israel. The decision, which has not yet been officially confirmed by the government, represents the largest number of settlements approved at one time by a single cabinet. It also includes the further legalisation of already existing unauthorised outposts.

This brings the total number of settlements approved since the current government took office in 2022 to 103, a significant increase compared with previous periods, according to critics. In contrast, only six new settlements were approved in the 30 years following the Oslo Accords.

Some of the planned settlements are to be located in the northern West Bank between Palestinian population centres, in Area C, which remains under full Israeli control. Many of the projects have not yet completed the full approval process.

The Palestinian Authority has condemned the decision and called on the United States to intervene. Hamas and Jordan have also criticised the move, saying it violates international law and threatens the two-state solution.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. More than 500,000 Israelis and about three million Palestinians live there.

(bak)