Tel Aviv: Israel's Security Cabinet has officially sanctioned the construction of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that contravenes international law, humanitarian law, and United Nations resolutions that deem settlement-building in occupied territories illegal.
According to Qatar News Agency, settlement activity in the West Bank has seen a significant increase since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023. The Palestinian presidency has condemned Israel's decision, labeling it a perilous escalation and a direct affront to international legitimacy and legal standards. It accuses the Israeli government of perpetuating cycles of violence and instability through its ongoing actions against the Palestinian populace.
The Jordanian government has also condemned the decision, asserting that it constitutes a clear violation of the Palestinian people's inherent right to establish an independent and sovereign state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital. Jordan reiterated its firm rejection of the decision, stating it directly contradicts UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334. This resolution denounces all Israeli actions aimed at changing the demographic makeup and legal status of occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
The United Nations continues to assert that the expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories is unlawful and cautions that it significantly diminishes the chances of resolving the conflict through a two-state solution.