Israel has opened procurement processes for the construction of new housing units in the occupied West Bank.
These settlements are considered illegal under international law and have been expanding for many years.
The current right‑wing coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accelerating the establishment of these units.
The initiative is intended to reinforce Israel’s control over the West Bank and impede the formation of a contiguous Palestinian state.
With elections approaching within months, the authorities have launched bids for approximately 1,200 housing units and have disregarded international criticism of the contentious E1 settlement.
Several Western governments are contemplating sanctions should Israel proceed, raising questions about their potential impact.
Presenter: James Bays
Guests:
Ammar Hijazi – Ambassador and head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands
Alon Pinkas – Former Israeli ambassador and consul general in New York
Published On 22 Aug 2026
