Israel’s government has approved the creation of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that analysts say further undermines the prospects for a viable Palestinian state. The decision comes amid a sustained period of settlement expansion under Israel’s far-right-led government.
According to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the latest approvals bring the total number of new settlements over the past few years to 69 – a record. During the current administration’s tenure, the number of settlements in the West Bank has risen by nearly 50 per cent. The monitoring group Peace Now reports that in 2022 there were 141 settlements; following this approval, that number now stands at 210. Settlements in the West Bank are widely regarded as illegal under international law.
The new authorisations include Kadim and Ganim, settlements that were evacuated as part of Israel’s 2005 disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip. Their re-establishment followed the repeal in March 2023 of the law that had barred Israelis from returning to these sites, signalling a broader shift away from previous political compromises.
Diplomatic and Legal Implications
The timing of the decision is significant. The United States is urging Israel and Hamas to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which came into effect on 10 October. The US-brokered plan envisages a potential “pathway” to a Palestinian state. Analysts warn that the continued expansion of settlements directly challenges this diplomatic framework and further reduces the territorial viability of a two-state solution.
Security Rhetoric and Violence on the Ground
Israeli authorities often justify settlements on security grounds. Yet the reality on the ground suggests a troubling escalation of violence. During the October olive harvest, UN humanitarian data recorded an average of eight attacks per day by settlers against Palestinians, the highest daily average since 2006. By 24 November, at least 136 incidents had been reported. Attacks included the burning of cars, desecration of mosques, ransacking of industrial facilities, and destruction of farmland. Israeli authorities have largely limited their response to occasional condemnations.
Recent clashes have also resulted in fatalities. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that on Saturday night, two Palestinians – including 16-year-old Rayan Abu Muallah – were killed in northern West Bank confrontations with Israeli forces. Israel’s military said one militant was shot after throwing a block at troops in Qabatiya, and another after allegedly hurling explosives in Silat al-Harithiya. Footage broadcast by Palestinian media appears to show the teenager approaching troops without throwing anything. Both incidents are reportedly under review by Israeli forces.
Strategic Implications
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza during the 1967 war. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank, with a further 200,000 in contested East Jerusalem. The current government, dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has overseen a rapid acceleration of settlement policies.
Analysts argue that these developments effectively erode the foundations of a future Palestinian state, consolidating a fragmented territory under Israeli control and undermining prospects for meaningful negotiations. The decision to expand settlements is thus not only an administrative measure but also a strategic statement on Israel’s long-term objectives in the West Bank.
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