On Sunday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced via social media that the Cabinet has given its approval for the creation of 19 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Smotrich, a right-wing figure, stated on X: "The Israeli Cabinet has approved the proposal, put forward by me along with my friend, Defence Minister Israel Katz, to proclaim and organize 19 new settlements."
Background and Details
Earlier in the week, Israeli media had reported that the Security Cabinet decided to establish these settlements, but official confirmation was pending until Smotrich's post. According to the organization Peace Now, which supports a two-state solution, the decision was made on December 11. The group noted that some settlements are planned for areas where Israel has not previously maintained a presence, while others would be located in densely populated Palestinian regions.
In the West Bank, which was occupied by Israeli forces during the 1967 Six Day War, over 700,000 Jewish settlers currently reside among approximately 3 million Palestinians. The United Nations views such settlements as a significant barrier to peace, arguing that their recognition would disrupt the continuity of Palestinian territory under a potential two-state agreement.
Smotrich further claimed on X that under the current Cabinet, 69 new settlements have been established in the West Bank, calling this "an unprecedented record." He emphasized the goal of preventing the formation of "a Palestinian terrorist state" and vowed to "develop, build and settle the land of our fathers in the firm belief in the rightness of our path."
