West Bank Land Grab Israel's Secret Settlement Plan Exposed!

Israel Greenlights 22 New Settlements in Occupied West Bank, Sparking International Condemnation

In a move certain to inflame tensions and draw further international criticism, Israel has confirmed plans to establish **22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank**. The decision, reached after a secretive security cabinet vote last week, includes the legalization of existing outposts previously built without official government authorization.

The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since its capture from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War. Since then, successive Israeli governments have pursued policies aimed at solidifying control over the territory, including declaring large areas as “state lands,” effectively preventing Palestinian ownership.

According to reports, the initiative was spearheaded by far-right figures within the government, specifically Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Kedumim. It's important to note that these settlements are widely considered illegal under international law.

Key Highlights of the Settlement Expansion:

• Strategic Significance: The Israeli government views the expansion as a way to strengthen its hold on what they refer to as "Judea and Samaria" (the biblical term for the West Bank).
• Response to Terrorism: Katz characterized the decision as a "crushing response to Palestinian terrorism" and a measure to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
• Route 443 Focus: The new settlements are strategically positioned to bolster Israel’s presence around Route 443, a crucial artery connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv via Modiin. Israel Ganz, head of the Yesha council, hailed the decision as "the most important since 1967".

International Outcry and Human Rights Concerns

The decision has been met with strong condemnation from Palestinian groups and international human rights organizations. A spokesperson for B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, stated that “Israel continues to promote Jewish supremacy through the theft of Palestinian land and the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank."

B'Tselem further asserted:

• The Israeli government is "openly and blatantly working to destroy the Palestinian people."
• The international community is "enabling Israel's crimes by standing aside."

Escalating Land Seizures and Settlement Activity

This latest announcement comes on the heels of other controversial moves by the Israeli government regarding land in the West Bank:

• Largest Land Seizure in Decades: In July, Israel approved the seizure of 12.7 sq km of land in the Jordan Valley, described as the largest single appropriation since the 1993 Oslo accords.
• Land Confiscations Surge: Finance Minister Smotrich revealed that land confiscations in 2024 have surpassed previous years’ averages by approximately tenfold.
• Expansion Plans: In May 2023, Smotrich instructed government ministries to prepare for an additional 500,000 Israeli settlers to move into the occupied West Bank.

Transfer of Legal Powers to Pro-Settler Officials

Adding to the controversy, the Israeli military has reportedly transferred significant legal powers in the West Bank to pro-settler civil servants working for Smotrich, further consolidating control over the territory.

Accelerated Housing Unit Approvals

Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement watchdog, reported that approvals for housing units in settlements have dramatically increased. Between January 1 and March 19, 10,503 housing units were promoted, exceeding the total number approved throughout 2024.

Historical Context and Future Implications

The approval of these new settlements represents a continued implementation of the Israeli government's longstanding goal to annex the occupied Palestinian territory. This objective was notably bolstered during the Trump administration, with figures like Mike Huckabee expressing support for Israeli claims on the West Bank.

The establishment of these settlements casts a long shadow over the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community's response, or lack thereof, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the region and the lives of millions of Palestinians.

The situation remains highly fluid and requires vigilant monitoring as the ramifications of these decisions unfold.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/29/israel-new-settlements-occupied-west-bank-palestinian-state