Israel Approves Expansion of Settlements in the West Bank Fueling Tensions

Mon Dec 22 2025 10:43:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a controversial move, Israel's security cabinet has recognized 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, intensifying the ongoing conflict and undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

Israel has approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, a decision that has drawn condemnation from the international community. Far-right officials cite the move as a strategy to prevent a Palestinian state, although it is widely regarded as illegal under international law. The settlement expansion is seen as exacerbating tensions amid increased violence in the region since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

Israel's security cabinet has approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank as the government continues its settlement expansion push.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a settler who proposed the move alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated that the decision was about blocking the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

Saudi Arabia condemned the move. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has noted that Israel's relentless settlement expansion fuels tensions, restricts Palestinian access to land, and threatens the viability of a sovereign Palestinian state.

Violence in the occupied West Bank has surged since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, raising concerns that the expansion could entrench Israeli occupation and undermine a two-state solution.

The two-state solution seeks to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based broadly on pre-1967 borders.

Since taking office in 2022, the current Israeli government has significantly increased the approval of new settlements and initiated the legalization process for unauthorized outposts.

Smotrich highlighted that the latest decision raises the total number of settlements approved in the past three years to 69.

This decision comes shortly after a UN report indicated that settlement expansion had reached its highest level since 2017.

The latest approvals include the re-establishment of settlements Ganim and Kadim, dismantled nearly 20 years ago.

In May, Israel had previously approved 22 new settlements, marking a significant expansion in decades.

The Israeli government also greenlit plans to build over 3,000 homes in the E1 project, which connects Jerusalem to the Maale Adumim settlement, previously stalled due to international opposition.

The expansion of settlements has provoked strong opposition from Arab nations, arguing that it undermines the prospect of achieving a two-state solution and raises fears of annexation of occupied territories.

US President Donald Trump cautioned that such actions would jeopardize Israel's support from the US.

In September, the UK became one of several countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state, a move opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.