Israel has approved the largest settlement expansion in West Bank for decades!

Israel has approved the largest settlement expansion in West Bank for decades!

On May 29, 2025, Israel officially announced the planned construction of 22 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. This announcement was made by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Minister of Finance Bezhalel Smotrich and represents the greatest expansion in decades. Katz described the decision as a major step towards strengthening Israeli control over Judea and Samaria, which many are seen as a strategic goal. Smotrich, on the other hand, declared the approval as "historical" and confirmed his support for the annexation of the entire West Bank.

The Likud party, which both ministers belong, described this decision as a "unique decision in a generation". There are already over 100 illegal settlements in the West Bank, in which around 500,000 Jewish settlers live. This expansion comes at a time when more than three million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule, and is considered illegally internationally, which Israel denies. Approval is also carried out only days before an international conference, which aims to revive the peace process for a two-state solution.

reactions to the settlement expansion

The reactions to the planned expansion are mostly critical. Palestinian authorities and human rights groups have sentenced the decision as a dangerous escalation. Nabil Abu Rudeinh, spokesman for the Palestinian presidency, described the approval as the "challenge of international legitimacy". The Hamas representative Sami Abu Zuhri asked both the United States and the EU to act.

The Israeli Ngo Peace Now warned that the new settlements will "redesign dramatically" the West Bank and continue to solidify the occupied area. In fact, it is reported that some of the new settlements already existed as outposts that were previously built without government approval and are now to be legalized under Israeli law.

context of settlement policy

Since the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has built numerous settlements that are considered illegal under international law. Around 700,000 Jewish settlers currently live in these settlements, and around 500,000 of them are in the West Bank alone. The international community has repeatedly requested a stopping the settlement building, for which the UN Security Council called for extensive measures in 2016. Despite these international concerns, Israel has consistently continued to pursue its settlement policy and thus made the possibility of a two-state solution considerably more difficult.

Settlement policy is often justified with security interests, and some settlers pursue ideological or religious motives. According to reports, violence in West Bank has increased since October 7, 2023, both by Israeli troops and by settlers, which further tightens the already tense situation. In addition, the Palestinian population often experiences harassment and violence in this context In summary, it can be said that the approval of 22 new illegal settlements by the Israeli government not only represents a significant military and territorial expansion, but also brings in profound political and interpersonal implications. This development could prove to be decisive for the future stability of the region.

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