Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich ignited controversy today by announcing plans to accelerate settlement construction in the West Bank, a move he stated is intended to "bury" the concept of a future Palestinian state. This announcement follows a decision to approve 3,000 new housing units in a West Bank settlement, alongside the green light for previously frozen construction in the E1 area—a strategically sensitive location.
These actions are widely condemned as undermining peace efforts and violating international law, as settlements are built in territory occupied since 1967. Critics argue these expansions further complicate the possibility of a two-state solution.
Smotrich, who also holds the finance minister portfolio, has long advocated for expanded settlements. Settlements are Israeli communities built in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas Palestinians claim for a future state. This latest escalation raises serious concerns about the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations and regional stability.
