Israel Orders Ratification Of 3 Settlements In The West Bank

Construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/Troclaire)

JAKARTA - Israeli Finance Minister BezalelSmotrich has ordered the ratification of three settlements in the southern part of the occupied region in the West Bank.

Smotrich, who is tasked with overseeing residential activities within Israel's Ministry of Defense, said Wednesday that he would increase the construction of three settlements.

The three settlements to be ratified are Avigail and Asael settlements in the southern West Bank, as well as Benit Hogla in the southeastern West Bank.

"Major things are happening in settlements," Smotrich wrote in media X as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, September 7.

Using Bible names for settlements in the West Bank, he said the Israeli government was promoting far-right, Zionist and nationalist policies, which view the construction of settlements in Judea and Samaria as assets of the Israeli state.

According to Israeli human rights group Peace Now, the Israeli government has announced plans to build as many as 12,885 more settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem regions.

Estimates show around 700 thousand settlers living in more than 250 settlements and outposts across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal.