Israel Legalizes 22 New West Bank Settlements, Sparking Palestinian Condemnation

Israel has approved the legalization and expansion of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking the largest such move in decades and including several previously unauthorized outposts now deemed legal under Israeli law. Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, assert this move aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state they view as a threat, while Palestinian leaders condemn it as a dangerous escalation that undermines peace efforts. The expansion comes amid rising tensions in the region and ongoing conflict in Gaza, drawing sharp international criticism and warnings from European nations about possible sanctions. The United Nations and other international bodies consider the settlements illegal under international law, a stance Israel disputes. The move is expected to deepen divisions and complicate prospects for a two-state solution, with critics warning it will further entrench the occupation and reshape the West Bank's landscape. Approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured in 1967 that remain central to Palestinian statehood claims.