Israel approves a plan to establish more settlements in the West Bank to "eliminate fraud" from the Palestinian state
The Palestinian Authority denounces another violation of international law and calls for sanctions and international intervention.
Stock image of two Israelis looking at a settlement in the West Bank.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Ministry of Defence gave its final approval to a controversial settlement plan in the West Bank, which provides for the construction of 3,400 homes and the dismantling of East Jerusalem, and aims to eradicate the "deception" of the two-state solution, in the words of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
"We are eliminating the Palestinian state from the table, not with slogans, but with deeds. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every dwelling is another nail in the coffin of that dangerous idea," said Smotrich, who is part of one of the most backward sectors of an already ultra-right-wing Israeli government.
The urban planning is controversial, will cover about 12 square kilometres and will connect East Jerusalem with the settlement of Maale Adumim. In addition, the idea is to expand the Tzipor Midbar district to 35,000 new inhabitants in the coming years.
The plan would divide the West Bank into two, one in the north and one in the south, and it would be almost impossible to create a connected Palestinian state, as Smotrich himself announced when he presented the plan a week ago.
Several international organizations, campaigning against the expansion of Israeli settlements, believe that this plan seriously threatens the future viability of a Palestinian State.
"Under the pretext of war, Smotrich and his messianic friends are establishing a delusional settlement that we will have to vacate in any agreement," Peace Now has denounced, stressing that the only way to live safely in Israel is "within the framework of the two states."
Condemnation of the Palestinian Authority
On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority has denounced that this new manoeuvre by the Israeli "occupation authorities" violates international law prohibiting such practices and has warned that it "challenges" all countries in the world that have condemned Israel and warned against pursuing such plans.
The Authority spokesman, Nabil abu Rudeina, has called on the US to "intervene immediately" and stop this and other action against Israel, which will cause "an explosion throughout the region."
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