What To Know About Israel’s Major Expansion of Settlements in Occupied West Bank

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced the establishment of “22 new settlements” in the West Bank. Some are existing but will be made legal under Israeli law, while others will be brand new settlements. Smotrich described this as a “historic decision,” emphasizing the importance of settlement as a protective measure for Israel.

Defense Minister Israel Katz supported the move, stating it affirms Israel’s historical rights and serves as a response to Palestinian terrorism. The announcement has drawn criticism from international figures, with British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer, condemning the action as an obstacle to Palestinian statehood.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also denounced the decision as a violation of international law and the rights of Palestinians. Israeli activist group Peace Now has strongly criticized the expansion, labeling it as the largest since the Oslo Accords in 1993.

The growth of settlements in the West Bank has increased significantly, with a rise in settler population and violence towards Palestinians. This escalation in settlements and violence has been ongoing since the Israel-Hamas war in 2023.