RAMALLAH: Palestinian officials have expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s recent decision to recognize over a dozen new settlements in the occupied West Bank, effectively elevating existing neighborhoods to full settlement status.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry criticized the move, stating it reflects Israel’s disregard for international laws and resolutions. The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since 1967 and is home to approximately three million Palestinians, along with nearly 500,000 Israelis living in settlements deemed illegal by the global community.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician and pro-settlement advocate, supported the cabinet’s decision, calling it a significant advancement for Israeli settlements in this region. Smotrich has been a vocal proponent of formally annexing the West Bank, similar to Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem, which is not recognized by most countries.
He described the recognition of each neighborhood as a unique community as a crucial step towards their development, framing it within a broader vision of expanding Israeli control. “Instead of hiding and apologizing, we raise the flag, we build and we settle,” he commented, emphasizing his commitment to what he views as establishing sovereignty over the region, which he referred to by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria.
In response, Hamas condemned Smotrich’s statements, labeling the settlements a “racist replacement project.” Furthermore, the Palestinian foreign ministry called attention to ongoing Israeli military actions in the northern West Bank, which they say are resulting in increased land confiscations from Palestinians.
The Israeli cabinet approved the development of 13 settlement neighborhoods, which are located throughout the West Bank. Some of these neighborhoods are part of larger settlements, while others stand alone. However, the formal status of their recognition as separate entities is still pending.
Peace Now, an Israeli organization that opposes settlement expansions, condemned the new recognitions, stating it undermines the possibility of a two-state solution that envisions a Palestinian state alongside Israel. They criticized the narrative that Israel is merely expanding neighborhoods rather than establishing new settlements.
Conversely, the Yesha Council, which represents the councils of West Bank settlements, praised the decision and thanked Smotrich for his role in promoting settlement growth. Reports indicate that 2023 has seen a surge in settlement permits issued by Israel, reaching a record high not seen in 30 years.
