Israel Okays 19 New Settlements in Occupied West Bank

Israel’s Cabinet has approved plans to establish 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move announced on Sunday by far-right Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich. The decision includes reviving two settlements that were dismantled during Israel’s 2005 disengagement and raises the total number of settlements approved over the past two years to 69.

According to Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now, the latest approval would increase the total number of West Bank settlements by nearly 50 percent under the current government, from 141 in 2022 to about 210. The decision also retroactively legalises several outposts and neighbourhoods built on land from which Palestinians had previously been displaced. Under international law, Israeli settlements in occupied territory are widely regarded as illegal.

The announcement comes at a time when the United States is pressing Israel and Hamas to move forward with a new phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which took effect on October 10 and is intended to open a pathway toward a Palestinian state. Critics argue that continued settlement expansion directly undermines that objective.

Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza during the 1967 war. Today, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements across the West Bank, while over 200,000 reside in contested East Jerusalem. The current government, heavily influenced by far-right figures including Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has made settlement expansion a central policy priority.

The growth of settlements has coincided with a sharp rise in attacks on Palestinians. During October’s olive harvest, settlers carried out an average of eight attacks per day, the highest rate recorded since 2006, according to the United Nations humanitarian office. By November 24, at least 136 additional incidents were documented, including arson, vandalism of mosques, destruction of crops and attacks on industrial facilities. Israeli authorities have largely responded with limited action beyond occasional condemnations.