US Considers the Legalization of Israeli Settler Posts in the West Bank Dangerous and Reckless
JAKARTA - The United States Department of State on Wednesday assessed that legalizing settler outposts in the Israeli-occupied West Bank would be a "dangerous and reckless" action, responding to reports that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was pushing to do so.
The Times of Israel reported that Smotrich wants to start the process of legalizing 68 illegal outposts in the West Bank, calling it "one of the most dramatic expansions" of the settlement movement in decades.
"Reports regarding directives to support illegal posts in the West Bank, we believe are dangerous and reckless," said deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel in a daily briefing, reported by Reuters, April 25.
Uncle Sam's country opposes the settlement and believes it violates international law, he said.
Washington "will continue to urge Israeli officials to refrain from taking actions to fund outposts that have long been illegal under Israeli law," a State Department spokesman said.
Israel has settled extensively in the West Bank since 1967, viewing it as the biblical region of Judea and Samaria and important for Israel's security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has encouraged settlement growth, but this has been criticized by the US.
The settlements have taken up land in the West Bank, where Palestinians have long aimed to establish an independent state that would also include the Gaza Strip and make East Jerusalem its capital.
Washington imposed sanctions on Friday against allies of Israel's right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and two entities that raised funds for an Israeli man accused of violence against settlers.
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Regarding a potential Israeli attack on Rafah, Patel said Washington's concerns had not been fully addressed.
"When it comes to military operations in Rafah, there needs to be a serious, credible plan," he said.
It is known that the Israeli military is ready to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah and attack Hamas headquarters in the southern city of the Gaza Strip.