Israeli Finance Minister Announces 1,000 New Settlement Units Amid Western Trade Sanctions

On Wednesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for 1,000 new settlement housing units in the northern occupied West Bank, a day after twelve Western nations signaled intentions to impose trade restrictions on goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, according to Anadolu.

Smotrich posted on X that 1,665 dunams (approximately 411.5 acres) had been allocated to the Kida and Havat settlements, paving the way for 1,000 new housing units.

The head of the Religious Zionism party characterized the decision as “another historic step in the settlement revolution.”

Israel has occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967. The international community regards Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land as illegal under international law—a stance Tel Aviv disputes.

“After over 25 years, the Kida and Havat settlements are finally at a stage where the government is moving forward with procedures to legalize their status,” Smotrich said.

Kida was founded in 2003 and Havat in 2001. The Israeli government opted to grant them recognized settlement status in December and March, respectively.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has highlighted that, since assuming office in late 2022, it has approved the creation of 104 new settlements and set up 160 agricultural outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Approximately 750,000 Israeli residents inhabit 156 settlements and 360 outposts throughout the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian data.

On Tuesday, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden announced intentions to impose trade restrictions on goods originating from Israeli settlements.

Source link