Israel’s security cabinet has approved the legalisation of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The decision brings the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to 69 amid ongoing expansion efforts.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Smotrich announced the move on Sunday, stating it advances strategic settlement across the territory. AP reported that the approvals include previously unauthorised outposts, some retroactively recognised after construction.
The cabinet’s action aligns with vows from ministers to prevent Palestinian statehood. Reuters noted two of the settlements were among those evacuated during the 2005 Gaza disengagement, now being re-established.
Palestinian officials condemned the expansion as a violation of international law. Reports said that the move defies UN resolutions and complicates peace efforts, with settlements housing over 500,000 Israelis in areas claimed for a future Palestinian state.
NBC News indicated the approvals raise the settlement count from 141 in 2022 to 210 under the current government. Construction has surged, with thousands of new housing units advanced this year.
International reactions included criticism from the European Union and United Nations, urging reversal to preserve two-state viability. No immediate U.S. response was available amid regional tensions.
The decision follows heightened West Bank violence, with over 700 Palestinians killed in Israeli operations since October 2023. Israeli officials cite security needs.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
