Israel's Security Cabinet Approves 19 New Settlements in the West Bank Amid International Condemnation
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved the creation of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that has elicited strong reactions internationally and heightened tensions in the Middle East. This decision comes at a time when the expansion of Israeli settlements has reportedly reached its highest level since 2017, according to the United Nations.
Background of the Settlement Expansion
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza - areas claimed by the Palestinians for a future state - during the 1967 war. Over 500,000 Jews have settled there, in addition to more than 200,000 in East Jerusalem. The growth of Israeli settlements in the West Bank reached a record level in 2025, according to a report by the United Nations Secretary-General.
Details of the New Settlements
The proposal for the new settlements, spread across five regional councils, was put forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz. This decision takes the total number of new settlements to 69 in the past few years, marking a near 50% increase under the current far-right Israeli government.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “We are preventing the establishment of a Palestinian terror state on the ground.” The latest approvals include two settlements that were previously evacuated during a 2005 disengagement plan.
International Response and Implications
All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law. The United Kingdom condemned the Israeli government's approval of the new settlements, stating that they risk undermining the 20 Point Plan and prospects for long-term peace and security that only a two-state solution can deliver.
The UK condemns the Israeli government’s approval of 19 new settlements in Palestine. These are illegal under international law,
Hamish Falconer, the British minister for the Middle East, wrote on social media platform X.
Current Status
Despite international condemnation, the Israeli government is pushing ahead with its construction binge in the territory. This development further complicates the possibility of a Palestinian state and threatens to escalate tensions in the region.
While the Israeli government views the move as a measure to prevent the birth of a Palestinian terrorist state, critics argue that the expansion of settlements further undermines the prospect for peace and the viability of a two-state solution. As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to closely monitor developments in the region.