Israel announces major expansion of illegal West Bank settlements
Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the decision on Thursday, with Katz saying that it 'strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria,' using an Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.
He added it was also 'a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel'.
Smotrich, himself a settler on illegally occupied Palestinian-owned land and an advocate for Israeli annexation of the West Bank, hailed the 'historic decision'.
In a statement, the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as a 'once-in-a-generation decision', emphasising its strategic value in fortifying Israel's hold along the eastern border with Jordan.
Israel has already built more than 100 illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small outposts to larger communities with modern infrastructure.
The West Bank is home to more than three million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority governing in limited areas.
The Palestinians see the territory as an integral part of a future state, along with occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Palestinian officials and rights groups slammed the Israeli government's decision, warning that the expansion of illegal settlements would further harm the prospects for a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh condemned the decision, calling it a 'dangerous escalation' and a 'challenge to international legitimacy'.
He accused Israel of fuelling instability in the region and warned the move breaches international law. 'This decision violates all international resolutions, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2334,' he said, adding that all settlement activity remains illegal and illegitimate.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned called on the United States and the European Union to take action.
'The announcement of the building of 22 new settlements in the West Bank is part of the war led by Netanyahu against the Palestinian people,' Abu Zuhri told the news agency Reuters.
The Israeli NGO Peace Now said the move 'will dramatically reshape the West Bank and further entrench the occupation'.
'The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal,' it said in a statement.'This is the largest batch of illegal Israeli settlements to be approved in one decision,' reported Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim from the occupied West Bank.
'Israeli settlements are strangling Palestinian communities inside the West Bank,' said Ibrahim. 'These new settlements fill the gaps, making a future Palestinian state almost impossible on the ground. Israel is using this moment – while global attention is fixed on Gaza – to cement its occupation.'
The settlement announcement comes just weeks ahead of a high-level international conference, jointly led by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, aiming to revive the long-dormant process to agree a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
34 minutes ago
- The Hill
Danish police examine suspicious package at Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Police were examining a suspicious package sent to the Israeli Embassy in Denmark's capital, authorities said Thursday. Danish public broadcaster DR showed photos of several police and emergency vehicles near the embassy in Copenhagen, including what they reported was a hazmat emergency response team vehicle. Several police officers, heavily armed soldiers and men in dark green hazmat suits and gas masks were shown standing behind a cordoned-off area near a white building in the Hellerup neighborhood in north Copenhagen. Copenhagen police wrote on X that 'we are present at the Israeli Embassy, where we are investigating a shipment received.' They added that 'we currently have no further information.' Police also said that they blocked off roads near the embassy. Anders Frederiksen, duty chief at the Copenhagen Police, told Danish daily Ekstra Bladet that 'ordinary citizens in the area should not be worried.' He added that the investigation was taking place inside the embassy building after employees there alerted police. Frederiksen declined to comment on the contents of the suspicious shipment. A spokesperson reached by phone at the press department of the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen said that he couldn't comment on the situation. Security officials in many European countries have increased surveillance and protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions after a 12-day war broke out between Israel and Iran in June. Last week, security officers arrested a man in the Danish city of Aarhus on suspicion of gathering information on Jewish locations and individuals in Germany for Iranian intelligence. German federal prosecutors said the man was tasked by an Iranian intelligence service early this year with gathering information on 'Jewish localities and specific Jewish individuals' in Berlin. They didn't elaborate. He spied on three properties in June, 'presumably in preparation of further intelligence activities in Germany, possibly including terrorist attacks on Jewish targets,' prosecutors said. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said that 'if this suspicion is confirmed, we are dealing with an outrageous operation,' adding in a statement that 'the protection of Jewish life has the highest priority for the German government.' Germany has requested the extradition of the suspect.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
FBI Issues 4th of July Warning as Homeland Security Is 'Enhancing Security'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and "enhancing security measures" to "ensure a safe and secure Independence Day across the nation," the department told Newsweek. The statement comes after ABC News reported on bulletins outlining concerns of a lone wolf attack on July 4 celebrations, similar to the car-ramming attack that killed 14 people in New Orleans on January 1. Newsweek has not seen an original copy of the bulletins. A spokesperson for DHS told Newsweek: "At this time, DHS is not aware of any specific, credible threats to Fourth of July celebrations." A spokesperson for the FBI told Newsweek: "The FBI always encourages members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement." FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference at the Manassas FBI Field Office on March 27, 2025, in Manassas, Virginia. FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference at the Manassas FBI Field Office on March 27, 2025, in Manassas, Virginia. Rod Lamkey, File/AP Photo Why It Matters The U.S. has experienced several attacks by lone actors in 2025: the New Year's attack in New Orleans, the shooting of two Israeli Embassy officials in Washington, D.C., the firebombing of a march for Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colorado, and the killing of two Minnesota lawmakers and the shooting of two others. Since President Donald Trump took office, he has removed funding and most personnel from the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), the group tasked with countering violent extremism, and hired a 22-year-old former Heritage Foundation intern with no known counterterrorism or national security experience to lead it. This has created concerns over the White House's preparedness to deal with violent extremism. The FBI investigates the area of Orleans Street and Bourbon Street by St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter where a suspicious package was detonated after a person drove a truck into a crowd, on... The FBI investigates the area of Orleans Street and Bourbon Street by St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter where a suspicious package was detonated after a person drove a truck into a crowd, on January 1, 2025. More Matthew Hinton, File/AP Photo What To Know The bulletins obtained by ABC state: "We are concerned about the potential threat of copycat attacks inspired by the 2025 New Year's Day vehicle-ramming attack in New Orleans and continued [foreign terrorist organizations] messaging calling for attacks against Western targets." The bulletins come after DHS issued a warning on June 22 over Iranian threats to the U.S. following the U.S. bombing Iran's nuclear infrastructure. According to the bulletins, U.S.-based extremists and lone actors represent the largest threat to crowds gathering for Independence Day celebrations over the weekend. Authorities have said they are concerned about chemicals being used on crowds in an attack similar to the one in Boulder, where one person died and 13 were injured after a man threw Molotov cocktails into the crowd. Since taking office, Trump has not only slashed the budget for CP3 but pivoted the nation's terrorism focus away from white supremacy and labelled drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, spoke with ProPublica regarding the changes at CP3, saying: "The notion that this single office is responsible for preventing terrorism is not only incorrect, it's ignorant." Members of law enforcement agencies search for shooting suspect at a house on June 15, 2025, in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Members of law enforcement agencies search for shooting suspect at a house on June 15, 2025, in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. George Walker IV/AP Photo What People Are Saying A spokesperson for DHS told Newsweek: "The Department of Homeland Security is working closely with the FBI and other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure a safe and secure Independence Day across the nation. We are enhancing security measures and coordinating intelligence-sharing to proactively address potential risks, including those from lone wolf actors. At this time, DHS is not aware of any specific, credible threats to Fourth of July celebrations." A spokesperson for the FBI told Newsweek: "While our standard practice is to not comment on specific intelligence products, the FBI regularly shares information with our law enforcement partners to assist in protecting the communities they serve, as well as with our private sector partners for awareness. The FBI always encourages members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement." What Happens Next Officials in New York told ABC that they are concerned about lone attackers over the holiday weekend who are "motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal or personal grievances."
Business Insider
41 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Kenya turns to Israel for Sh3.4 billion missile defense deal
Kenya is set to receive a Sh3.4 billion loan from Israel to finance the acquisition of a modern missile defense system, in a move aimed at bolstering the country's air security amid escalating regional terror threats. Kenya will receive a Sh3.4 billion loan from Israel to enhance its missile defense system. The SPYDER system, developed by Israel, is the primary focus of this equipment upgrade, providing mobile aerial threat interception capabilities. This partnership aligns with Kenya's strategic push to modernize its military amid increasing regional security challenges. The funding will support the procurement of advanced military hardware, including repayment of part of a previous Sh1 billion loan used to acquire the air defense system. Disbursement to the Ministry of defense is expected in July 2025. An update from Kenya's Treasury also notes that the Sh3.4 billion loan from Israel will cover nearly 70% of the Defense Ministry's development budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year as per Business Daily Africa According to a report by Eastleigh Voice, the latest funding round will enable the continued deployment of the SPYDER system, a high-tech, mobile surface-to-air missile system developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries. The system is capable of intercepting a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, drones, helicopters, and guided munitions. The loan agreement marks a significant step in Kenya's push to modernize its military capabilities in response to mounting security challenges across the Horn of Africa and beyond. Kenya's National Intelligence Service Director-General, Noordin Haji recently raised alarm over the growing threat posed by extremist groups operating in and around East Africa. ' As part of this expansion, ISIS and Al-Shabaab have been collaborating with the Houthis, gaining access to advanced weaponry and sophisticated training, ' Haji warned. ' The spillover effects are now being felt in Africa, making the continent an emerging epicenter of terrorism. ' Kenya's preference for Israeli military hardware While the United States and Turkey remain Kenya's primary suppliers of military equipment, including helicopters, armored vehicles, and drones, Israel is emerging as a trusted partner for advanced air defense systems. Kenya and Israel have maintained a decade-old military cooperation pact, first signed in 2011. The domestic security agreement has enabled collaboration in key areas, including counter-terrorism, crime prevention, and efforts to curb drug smuggling. Over the years, this partnership has deepened, particularly in the realm of defense technology and tactical support.
