Israel’s far-right government has approved plans to build new homes in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Monday’s move threatens to heightens the tension with Palestinian residents, who have seen an increase in violent settler attacks in recent days. The decision cam after the United States criticism of Israel’s settlement policies.
What is the problem faced by the settlers?
In the occupied West bank, a mob of armed Israeli settlers stormed the village of Umm Safa, firing bullets at residents. Their homes were also set at blaze including vehicles as well. Israeli settlers have carried out at least 85 assaults on Palestinian towns in the West Bank. This comes as Israel’s far-right government has approved the construction of thousands of new homes in illegal settlements across the West Bank, despite growing international condemnation.
What has the government planned?
Defense Ministry planning committee approved 5,700 new settlement homes. Over 700,000 Israelis now live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which were captured by Israel in 1967. The settlement construction is illegal under international law, which has been condemned by the international community and is considered a large hurdle of peace.
The Settlement problem
Israel has now approved over 13,000 settlement housing units this year. Which is nearly 3 times the number of homes approved in 2022 and marks the most approval year since 2012. Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-right wing settler leader, has been granted cabinet-level authority over settlement policies. He has vowed to double the settler population in the West Bank.
Though the settlement plans have been heavily criticized but the truth remains the same. Palestinian people are not the obstacle of peace. In the face of reality, immigration housing law must be implemented for welfare of humanity.
