Israel Plans to Expand Jewish Settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories

JAKARTA - Israel's hardline finance minister on Wednesday announced a massive expansion of more than 2,000 homes in three Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who holds authority over part of Israel's civil administration in the West Bank, said the planning committee had approved the construction of 2,162 new homes for Jews.

This includes 1,006 units in new settlements near Jerusalem, 922 units near the Palestinian city of Nablus, and 234 units near Hebron.

"We continue to build the Land of Israel practically," said Smotrich, an ultranationalist sanctioned by Britain, France and other countries who accuse him of inciting violence against Palestinians, launching Al Arabiya and Reuters (4/6).

It is known that most countries consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law and a major obstacle to a two-state solution for long-term peace.

Smotrich himself condemned the sanctions against him, saying the action would not change Israel's policy.

The new houses will "strengthen our control over the land, strengthen Israel's security, and establish clear facts on the ground that prevent the creation of an Arab terror state in the heart of the country," Smotrich said in a statement, without mentioning when construction would begin.

Since becoming minister three years ago, Smotrich has sought to tighten Israel's control and presence in the West Bank while opposing the idea of a Palestinian state.

The right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has overseen a significant expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the construction of new settlements.

Meanwhile, Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent state that includes East Jerusalem and Gaza.

Around half a million Israelis live in the West Bank among some three million Palestinians.

Separately, the administration of US President Donald Trump has been far less critical of Israel's rapid settlement expansion. Although, last September he said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, which angered some Israeli right-wing lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the announcement, warning that Israel's "provocative" policies were pushing the region towards more violence and calling on the US to stop Israel's "madness".

On May 19, Smotrich said he would launch a "war" against the Palestinian Authority, which runs a limited civilian government in the West Bank, after he said he was told the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor had requested a secret arrest warrant against him. The ICC has not confirmed this.