Israel has approved the construction of 764 additional housing units in three Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. This move, authorized by the Higher Planning Council, has sparked criticism from a watchdog group accusing Israel of pushing towards the de facto annexation of Palestinian territory.
The new housing units are allocated as follows: 478 in Hashmonaim, 230 in Beitar Illit, and 56 in Givat Ze’ev. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is involved in settlement policy and resides in a settlement himself, described the decision as part of a strategic effort to bolster settlements and ensure their growth and security.
Since assuming office, Smotrich stated that a total of 51,370 housing units have been approved in the West Bank. These settlements are widely viewed as illegal under international law, with numerous UN Security Council resolutions opposing their expansion.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the move, denouncing it as part of a settlement policy that aims to escalate tensions in the region. The Peace Now watchdog group criticized the Israeli government for rapidly advancing the annexation of the West Bank through the approval of additional housing units, emphasizing the potential consequences of entrenching an apartheid regime.
This decision follows recent revelations that Israel plans to annex parts of a significant historic site in the West Bank. The government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced criticism for accelerating settlement expansion, which is seen as obstructing the establishment of a future Palestinian state. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza during the 1967 war and has since settled over 500,000 Jews in the West Bank and more than 200,000 in contested East Jerusalem.
The government, dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Smotrich and cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has been accused of perpetuating settler violence against Palestinians. Recent reports indicate a surge in attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, with settlers engaging in destructive acts such as burning cars, desecrating mosques, and damaging agricultural lands.
The escalating tensions highlight the ongoing challenges in the region, with concerns raised over the impact of settlement expansion on peace efforts and stability.
