Criticized by the US and the UK for Jewish Settlements, Israeli Minister: Nine Good But Not Enough, We Want More

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

JAKARTA - Israeli officials are indifferent to criticism from Western countries regarding the legalization of new Jewish settlements in the West Bank, saying the number approved is still not enough.

Nine settler outposts in the occupied West Bank were granted retrospective authorizations on Sunday, with the Israeli Government also announcing new homes to be built in the settlements. Israel's right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said there would be 10,000 homes.

The move drew criticism, not only from countries such as Turkey and Indonesia but also from Israel's traditional ally, the United States, as well as several European countries.

However, right-wing politician and Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, of the hardline religious nationalist bloc in PM Netanyahu's government, said he wanted to go further.

"This is our mission. This is our doctrine", Ben-Gvir said, launching Reuters on February 15.

"Nine settlements are good but still not enough. We want more", he said in a video message.

Earlier, the foreign ministers of four European countries and Canada joined forces with the United States on Tuesday in opposing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Government's decision to allow nine Jewish settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli Minister of Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. (Twitter/@itamarbengvir)

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States issued a joint statement, expressing concern over the plans Israel announced on Sunday.

"We strongly oppose any unilateral action that will only exacerbate tensions between Israel and the Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution", they said.

Later, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa was also strongly opposed to expanding settlements and added, "Such unilateral actions jeopardize efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

Israel's Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on this.

The nine approvals given on Sunday are a first for PM Netanyahu's current Administration.

Meanwhile, Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official, welcomed the joint statement but looked forward to concrete action.

"We demand that words be turned into deeds", he said.

The government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday's announcement should be "condemned and rejected".

"This is a challenge to US and Arab efforts and a provocation against the Palestinian people, and it will lead to more tension and escalation", said President Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, according to The National News.

It is known that last month Ben-Gvir also attracted attention, when he continued to make visits to the Al Aqsa Complex which caused criticism and tension, to the point where he ordered the removal of the Palestinian flag in public spaces.