Israel approves controversial West Bank settlement project
3 days ago
- #International Law
- #Settlements
- #Israel-Palestine
- Israel approves controversial West Bank settlement project in E1 area, which would divide the West Bank and cut off East Jerusalem.
- The project includes 3,400 homes and has faced international opposition for decades, with critics warning it undermines a viable Palestinian state.
- Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claims the idea of a Palestinian state is 'being erased' through settlement expansion.
- The Palestinian Authority condemns the move as illegal and destructive to the two-state solution.
- Settlement expansion has increased under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government and since the Gaza war began in 2023.
- International criticism includes warnings from the UK, Jordan, and Germany, citing violations of international law.
- The US has not commented directly, but former ambassador Mike Huckabee suggested Israel has the right to decide on E1 development.
- The International Court of Justice has previously ruled Israel's presence in the occupied territories as unlawful.