Israel’s recent decision to recognize over a dozen new settlements in the West Bank has drawn condemnation from Palestinian officials and the watchdog group Peace Now. Announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, this move aims to establish these areas as independent settlements, amidst ongoing security operations in the region. This development supports Israel’s goal of sovereignty over the West Bank, raising legal and ethical concerns internationally.
The Palestinian foreign ministry and the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now have denounced Israel’s recent decision to recognize over a dozen new settlements in the occupied West Bank. This decision upgrades existing neighborhoods to independent settlement status and was announced by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is known for advocating the formal annexation of the West Bank.
Smotrich characterized the cabinet’s approval of the separation of 13 Jewish settlements from neighboring communities as an “important step” for settlement expansion in the area. He proclaimed the move as part of a revolution aiming for actual sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, Israel’s historical name for the West Bank, emphasizing a policy of transparency in settlement growth.
The recognition of these settlements comes amidst heightened Israeli security measures and military operations in the West Bank, driven by fears following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants. These operations reportedly target suspected militant groups and have accompanied significant land confiscations from Palestinians, which the Palestinian Authority criticized as a blatant disregard for international law.
In a statement, Peace Now stated that this decision contradicts prior claims that Israel only expands existing neighborhoods without creating new settlements. The watchdog highlighted that the recognized settlements would now have independent budgets and local government elections, raising international concerns regarding their legality.
The settlements, which Israel has controlled since 1967, house around three million Palestinians and approximately 500,000 Israelis, despite being deemed illegal by most of the global community. The decision aligns with broader trends in settlement construction, as 2023 has reportedly seen record issuance of building permits, intensifying ongoing disputes in the region.
The recognition of new settlements in the West Bank by Israel’s security cabinet has sparked significant condemnation from Palestinian authorities and watchdog groups. This action is part of a broader trend of settlement expansion and reflects internal Israeli political goals under Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The implications extend to the legal status of these developments, which challenge international norms and raise concerns regarding the significant impact on Palestinian communities.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
