The Israeli government approved on Sunday legislation aimed at expediting the development of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. This move grants increased authority to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in dealing with one of the most contentious aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to reports from Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, the approval eliminates the requirement for political-level authorization for settlement construction, marking a departure from the existing system that has been in place for over 25 years.
Under the newly implemented system, proposals for settlement construction can now be directly submitted to Israel’s Supreme Planning Council without the need for prior political approval. This revision reduces political intervention from four stages to two.
While the announcement has been met with concern, settlements expert Dror Etkes remarked to The National that this development is merely an extension of Israel’s long-standing policy regarding settlements.
“Israel was until today an apartheid state, and will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow an apartheid state, just with a few more settlers,” he said.
The recent decision by the Israeli government to expedite the construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank grants increased influence to Mr. Smotrich, the leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party and a coalition partner in Mr. Netanyahu’s government.
This move gives him authority over the construction planning process, despite facing criticism for his anti-Palestinian remarks.
Coincidentally, this decision was made on the same day Barbara Leaf, a senior White House official, arrived in Israel.
It’s worth noting that the United States has expressed opposition to further settlements, although it has faced criticism for not taking concrete measures to prevent Israel, its closest ally in the Middle East, from developing illegal outposts.
The announcement from the Israeli cabinet comes just a week before the planned meeting of the West Bank’s planning committee, where discussions will be held regarding the advancement of plans for thousands of new homes in Israeli settlements.
According to Kan’s report, approximately 5,000 new housing units will receive approval this week. It is claimed that Mr. Smotrich has already sanctioned more construction this year than in any previous year.
Far-right surge
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Religious Zionism proposed the change in December, drawing ire from Palestinians, the US, and rights groups.
Advancing Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, considered illegal under international law, has been a priority of Mr. Netanyahu’s government, widely considered to be the most far-right in the country’s history.
The proposed change to advance Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank was put forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Religious Zionism in December. This move has sparked criticism from Palestinians, the United States, and various human rights organizations.
The Netanyahu government, widely regarded as the most far-right in Israel’s history, has made the advancement of Israeli settlements a priority. However, these settlements are considered illegal under international law.
The implementation of this change has the potential to exacerbate an already tense situation in the West Bank and has been met with strong condemnation from Palestinian officials and human rights organizations.
Earlier this month, Israel informed the United States of its intention to permit the construction of thousands of new settlement lots.
This decision contradicted an earlier request from Washington, which urged Mr. Netanyahu to delay plans to expand the highly contentious E1 settlement project situated to the east of the disputed city of Jerusalem.
“This is another step in building the superiority of Jewish Israelis in an apartheid regime in the West Bank. I don’t know if it’s a major difference from what happened before, but it’s certainly a step,” Shai Goren of NGO Ir Amin told The National.
“It represents the state taking off the mask of ‘we’re temporarily occupying the territory while we wait for a solution,’” he added.
In February, former US ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer, who served during the George W Bush administration, accused Israel of “creeping annexation” of the West Bank, violating a previous commitment to dismantle a number of illegal settlements.
Mr. Goren said: “This is now clear cut. Smotrich was interviewed a couple of days ago saying there are half a million Israelis in the West Bank, and that he wants that number to double. As minister of finance, he has the means to support such an operation.”
“This is a good lesson in seeing what the government really intends with the West Bank. Steps like this make it very clear,” he added.
Sunday’s news is significant, as it contradicts Mr. Netanyahu’s previous promise in March to refrain from building new settlements in the northern part of the West Bank. This region has recently witnessed the emergence of a new generation of Palestinian militancy.
The current Israeli coalition has displayed a divided approach when it comes to dealing with this volatile area. In early March, Mr. Smotrich sparked intense international criticism when he called for the northern West Bank town of Huwara to be “wiped out.”
His remarks came in the aftermath of Israeli settlers going on a rampage in the town, setting fire to Palestinian property, following a deadly attack on two Israeli settlers earlier that day.
Subsequently, Mr. Smotrich apologized for his comments, stating that they were an unintended slip of the tongue in a moment of heightened emotions.
Palestinians call for action
The Palestinian foreign ministry has urged for concrete international and American actions to be taken against the decision that enables the “silent and discreet” approval of settlement projects.
Hussein al-Sheik, the Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s executive committee, declared that they would boycott a scheduled Monday meeting of the Higher Economic Committee with Israeli officials in light of this development.
Furthermore, he stated that the Palestinians are exploring additional measures to be taken in response to the decision.
Israeli NGO Peace Now said: “This pro-settler government is irresponsibly empowering those who seek to erase Palestinian villages, representing a dangerous minority driven by messianic ideals.”
“This decision will lead to further harmful construction in the settlements, in clear violation of international law,” it added.
According to an AFP tally, the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire this year has reached nearly 160.
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