Two ultranationalist Israeli cabinet ministers on Tuesday defiantly dismissed growing global condemnation of the construction of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank, instead slamming numbers in the occupied territories. Promised to double and legalize ten wildcat outposts.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and State Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gwir reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to expanding Israel’s powers in the land where the Palestinians are seeking a future state. Their comments came after the United States voiced its opposition to the move and her four European countries added criticism.
Mr. Smotrik, a religious settler, said he and his allies in the government – the most right-wingers in Israeli history – referred to the West Bank by biblical name and called it “construction in Judea and Samaria.” We are committed to completely removing restrictions on
Biden criticizes reported expansion of Israeli settlements in West Bank
“Disagreements are allowed, even between friends,” he added.
Ben-Gwill, who also lives in an occupied Jewish settlement in the West Bank, called on America and Europe to “stop worrying.”
“The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel,” he emphasized. “Nine settlements are nice, but that’s not enough. We need more.”
Two Israeli ministers hit back at US criticism of West Bank settlement building. (AP Photo/Ariel Shalit)
On Tuesday, some of Europe’s top diplomats joined the US in denouncing Israel over its plans to build 10,000 new homes in existing West Bank settlements and retroactively legalize nine outposts. rice field. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet announced the measures on Sunday following a surge in violence in Jerusalem.
The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States read a joint statement saying they were “deeply concerned by the Israeli government’s announcement” and “strongly opposed to these unilateral actions which only exacerbate tensions between Israel and Israel.” I oppose it,” he said. Palestinian. “
Israel’s neighbors Jordan and Egypt, as well as Saudi Arabia and Norway, have also expressed grave concern and strong opposition to the new settlement plans.
Still, no mention was made of the potential impact. Despite years of accumulating frustration and escalating rhetoric over Israel’s rapidly expanding reconciliation that threatens to deliver a two-state solution that has been the goal of the peace process for years, the United States and the European Union I have avoided taking any serious action.
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Nevertheless, Israel’s new government could put the country’s closest ties to the test. In a controversial coalition agreement, Netanyahu promised Smotik authority over the defense agency responsible for planning both settlements and Palestinian construction in parts of the West Bank where Israel maintains civilian control. .
Upon receiving these mandates, Smotrich vowed to “normalize” the lives of more than 500,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, giving them control over their lives in the settlements and within Israel’s internationally recognized borders. and effectively annexing West Bank territories. Such a move would provoke widespread backlash.
Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East War. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and the annexed East Jerusalem to Israel.
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Ultranationalists who oppose the creation of a Palestinian state make up the majority of Israel’s new government, which has declared the building of settlements a top priority.
