Tel Aviv: Israel’s cabinet has approved the establishment of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision announced by the country’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. This move is part of a broader governmental push to expand construction in the territory, a strategy that poses significant obstacles to the creation of a Palestinian state.
With this latest approval, the number of new settlements in recent years has reached 69, setting a new record. The decision includes the re-establishment of two settlements that were evacuated as part of a 2005 disengagement plan. According to Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, the number of settlements in the West Bank has increased by nearly 50 percent under the current far-right government, rising from 141 in 2022 to 210 today.
International Law and Settlement Expansion
Settlements in the West Bank are widely considered illegal under international law, a point of contention that has drawn criticism from various international bodies. The cabinet’s approval, which was classified until recently, comes at a time when the United States is urging Israel and Hamas to proceed with the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire, which began on October 10. The US-brokered plan envisions a potential “pathway” to a Palestinian state, a prospect that the expansion of settlements seems to undermine.
The recent cabinet decision also includes the retroactive legalization of several previously established settlement outposts and neighborhoods. The Finance Ministry noted that two of the settlements legalized in this latest approval are Kadim and Ganim, which were among the four West Bank settlements dismantled in 2005 as part of Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Historical Context and Current Tensions
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza—territories claimed by Palestinians for a future state—during the 1967 war. Since then, over 500,000 Jews have settled in the West Bank, alongside more than 200,000 in contested East Jerusalem. The current Israeli government is heavily influenced by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Finance Minister Smotrich and cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the nation’s police force.
The expansion of settlements has coincided with a surge in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. During October’s olive harvest, settlers launched an average of eight attacks daily, marking the highest frequency since the United Nations began collecting data in 2006. By November 24, the UN had recorded at least 136 additional attacks, including the burning of cars, desecration of mosques, and destruction of cropland. Israeli authorities have largely limited their response to issuing occasional condemnations.
Escalating Violence and Diplomatic Repercussions
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, were killed in clashes with Israeli military forces in the northern West Bank on Saturday night. The Israeli military stated that a militant was shot after throwing a block at troops in Qabatiya, while another was killed after hurling explosives in Silat al-Harithiya. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the deceased as 16-year-old Rayan Abu Muallah and 22-year-old Ahmad Ziyoud.
These incidents occur amid heightened military operations in the West Bank following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that precipitated the war in Gaza. The ongoing violence and settlement expansion have strained diplomatic relations and complicated efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the region.
Religious and Humanitarian Dimensions
In a separate development, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic leader in the Holy Land, visited Gaza’s only Catholic Church to celebrate a pre-Christmas Mass, which included the baptism of a baby. The Holy Family Parish has become a refuge for both Christians and Muslims, sheltering hundreds of displaced individuals. Despite the ongoing conflict, Pizzaballa emphasized the Christian community’s commitment to being a “stable, solid reference point in this sea of destruction” as the region begins to rebuild.
The Holy Family compound was previously struck by fragments from an Israeli shell in July, resulting in three fatalities. Israel expressed regret, labeling the incident an accident. As the community gathered for the Christmas Mass, there was a palpable mix of gratitude and grief among those marking the holiday away from home.
As the situation in the West Bank and Gaza continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful, with many advocating for renewed efforts towards a peaceful resolution and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
