Israel approves 22 new West Bank settlements despite sanctions threat

The government of Israel approved the construction of 22 new settlements on the west coast on Thursday, which is the largest settlement authority in the years, which directly rejects the recent warnings of major affiliates who have made Palestinians The restrictions targeted on continuous expansion in the field had threatened.

Israel approves 22 new West Bank settlements, sparking international condemnation.

The Ministry of Defense has confirmed that in this decision, there is a valid of nine existing unauthorized checkpoints and establishing new communities, the officials clearly said that the purpose of this step is to strengthen Israel's control and to stop the Palestinian state. This Authority has come two weeks after the UK, France and Canada to be warned by Israel, which was said that if the expansion of settlements continues, they will "solid action".

Government Officials Champion Expansion

Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who led the initiative, told the security cabinet decision to give a new shape to the future. Accepted settlements are included in Homesh and Sa-Noor, these two communities who were vacated during the 2005 Gaza dissolution of Israel, which was necessary to redress that law in the North West Bank region. Israeli admission was banned.

The Ministry of Defense said, "This decision paves the path of renewal of Jewish settlements in Homesh and Sa-Noor - a process that cures historical injustice." Four additional communities will be set up on Jordan border, which officials said that this will strengthen the "strategic hold on the area" of Israel.

Smotrich said it "A important day for the Basti and an important day for the Israeli state", as well as announced that his office has approved 15,000 settlement units and allocated $ 1.9 billion for the settlement streets of the west coast from January.

International Pressure Mounts

This announcement has been done last week after the decision to suspend the free trade negotiations with Israel and decision to impose new restrictions on the settlements of the west coast. Foreign Secretary David Lami referred to "gross" policies and said that the government can not continue to discuss with the administration to further measures.

The European Union and the United Nations condemned the Israeli settlements, it has been called violation of international law. In March, unprecedented expansion has been documented in the United Nations Human Rights Office report, in which more than 10,300 housing units and November 2023 and October 2024 will be set up in 49 new checkpoints in existing settlements.

Palestinian Authority Calls Move 'Dangerous Escalation'

Palestinian President's spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said this decision called "dangerous growth" which violates international law. He said to the Reuters, "This extremist Israeli government is making every possible effort to stop the establishment of an independent Palestinian state."

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, condemning this announcement, "part of the war against Palestinian people" and called for intervention from the United States and the European Union.

Since October 7, 2023, the activity of settlements has increased since Hamas attacks, about 700,000 Israeli resident is now living between 2.7 million Palestinians in the west coast and East Jerusalem.