Palestine Condemns Israel's Settlement Expansion Plan In West Bank

Illustration of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/Ralf Roletschek)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Authority has criticized Israel's plan to expand settlements in the West Bank region, warning of the impact of this deemed dangerous action.

Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh, stressed Israel's newly announced plan to build 3,401 residential units in the disputed E1 region, located between Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adumim colony, the continuing war of genocide in the Gaza Strip, and the increasing violence of settlers will only lead to escalation, tension, and further instability.

"All settlement activities and construction are rejected and illegal under international law, in particular the 2334 Security Council Resolution, which confirms that all settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the entire Gaza Strip, are illegal," he said.

He further considers the Israeli government to be fully responsible for this dangerous act, warning of its impact, while recording the settlement announcement in line with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks regarding the so-called "Israel Raya vision".

He also considers the US government responsible for stopping Israeli occupation measures, stressing such war is futile, as well as irresponsible and aggressive attacks and actions that will only create realities that violate international legitimacy and law.

As previously reported, Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich launched a long-delayed expansion of settlements in the West Bank, dividing the West Bank and separating it from East Jerusalem, a move his office said would "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state.

Standing at the planned settlement site in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Smotrich, who is also a settlers, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had approved construction in an area called E1, although there had been no direct confirmation of the two.

"Anyone in the world who tries to recognize the Palestinian state today will receive our answers in the field. Not with documents, decisions, or statements, but with facts. House facts, settlement facts," Smotrich said.

Israel frozen development plans in Maale Adumim in 2012, and once again after being revived in 2020, amid objections from the US, European allies, and other powers that see the project as a threat to a future peace agreement with Palestine.

Re-engaging the project could further isolate Israel, which has witnessed some of its Western allies condemning its military offensive in Gaza and announcing it may recognize the Palestinian state.