Israel Continues to Build Settlements in the West Bank

At the center of the controversial efforts to prevent a Palestinian state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is right-wing extremist minister Bezalel Smotrich. The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and the situation on Israel’s northern border may overshadow what is happening in the West Bank, but tensions have been escalating since the Hamas massacre on October 7. Israeli forces have been engaging in frequent clashes with militant Palestinians in cities like Tulkarem and Jenin, leading to attacks on both Israelis and Palestinians.

In response to this volatile situation, Israel is moving forward with settlement expansion in the West Bank. Just recently, an area of 12.7 square kilometers in the Jordan Valley was declared “state land” by Israeli authorities, marking the largest land appropriation since the Oslo Accords in 1993. This declaration allows for settlement construction in the area, despite the land previously being considered a military restricted zone.

The Israeli government has also discussed plans to build 6,000 new housing units in various settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. This move has drawn criticism from the international community, but has been praised by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who sees settlement expansion as a way to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Smotrich, who holds key positions in the Israeli government, has been pushing for the advancement of settlements and aims to annex the West Bank.

Smotrich’s influence on Israeli policy was recently demonstrated when he secured the legalization of illegal outposts in exchange for releasing tax money to the Palestinian Authority. He has been instrumental in approving thousands of new housing units in the West Bank and has garnered support from both the government and opposition. The settlement movement in Israel is gaining momentum, with plans to expand into areas like the Gaza Strip.

Overall, the situation in the West Bank remains contentious, with settlement expansion fueling tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. The actions of Minister Smotrich and the Israeli government signal a shift towards further entrenchment in the occupied territories, raising concerns about the future of the region.