Israel Approves 19 New Communities in Contested West Bank

The nation's defense cabinet has given its endorsement to the formalization of nineteen new communities in the contested West Bank, signaling a ongoing campaign for settlement expansion.

Far-right Treasury Chief Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and proposed the move together with Defense Chief Israel Katz, stated that the decision was aimed at preventing the creation of a sovereign Palestine.

Under international law, Jewish communities in the disputed territories are deemed unlawful.

The move has sparked condemnation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has previously stated that Israel's "persistent" settlement expansion heightens tensions, limits Palestinian access to land, and threatens the prospects of a sovereign Palestine.

Increased Unrest and Diplomatic Fallout

Unrest in the occupied West Bank has increased sharply since the hostilities in the Gaza Strip began in the autumn of 2023, adding to fears that settlement expansion could entrench the Israeli presence and damage the possibility for a peaceful resolution based on two states.

The concept of two states involves the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its seat of government, broadly along the lines that existed before the 1967 Six-Day Arab-Israeli war.

Since taking office in 2022, the current Israeli government has ramped up the authorization of new settlements and begun the legalisation process for unauthorised outposts, classifying them as "neighbourhoods" of existing communities.

Ongoing Expansion

The latest decision brings the cumulative figure of communities approved over the past three years to 69, as stated by the Finance Minister.

These approvals are announced only a few days after the United Nations said that settlement expansion had reached its highest level since 2017.

The newest round of authorizations encompasses the rebuilding of a pair of settlements — Ganim and Kadim — which were dismantled nearly 20 years ago.

In a previous move, the Israeli government authorized twenty-two new settlements in the occupied West Bank - labeled as the largest expansion in many years.

Furthermore, the government also approved projects in August to build more than three thousand housing units in the so-called E1 project between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement, a project that had been on hold for decades amid strong international objection.

At that time, Smotrich stated it would "bury the concept of a Palestinian state."

Population Realities and Global Reactions

An estimated 700,000 settlers live in approximately one hundred and sixty settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli monitoring organization Peace Now. This is land that the Palestinian people seek for a prospective sovereign nation.

Settlement expansion has provoked neighboring countries who have steadfastly argued it harms prospects for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has furthermore raised anxieties about the possible incorporation of the disputed territories.

Former American President Donald Trump had previously admonished the Israeli leadership about such a move, stating to TIME magazine that the country would forfeit its backing from the US if it occurred.

In a policy change, the UK - along with other nations including Australia and Canada - recognised a Palestinian state, a major although primarily ceremonial adjustment in government policy.

Israel was against the move, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that a Palestinian state "is off the table."