Israel Announces Plan for 2,162 New Homes in Occupied West Bank

The Expansion Plan

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced a major expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, as he pushes to annex more of the Palestinian territory.

Construction Details

Smotrich said on Wednesday that a planning committee had approved the construction of 2,162 new Jewish homes, of which 1,006 units will be in a new illegal settlement near Jerusalem, 922 near the city of Nablus and 234 near Hebron.

The Impact Analysis

The new homes would “strengthen our hold on the land, reinforce Israel’s security, and establish clear facts on the ground that prevent the creation of an Arab terror state in the heart of the country”.

The Reaction

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's office condemned the decision and warned that Israel’s “provocative” policies were pushing the region towards more violence. It called on the United States to stop the Israeli “madness”.

The Future Outlook

The push for settlements in the occupied West Bank is illegal under international law and condemned by most nations. Smotrich has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom, France, and other states, which accuse him of inciting violence against Palestinians.