Israel Approves 764 New Housing Units in West Bank Settlements Despite International Opposition

Jerusalem:

Israel's government has granted final authorization for the construction of 764 new housing units across three settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to an announcement by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday.

Smotrich, an ultra-nationalist who stands firmly against Palestinian statehood, highlighted that his administration has approved approximately 51,370 housing units through the Higher Planning Council in the West Bank since taking office in late 2022. This territory is central to Palestinian aspirations for establishing their future state.

"We continue the revolution," declared Smotrich in his statement, emphasizing that this latest housing approval "is part of a clear strategic process of strengthening the settlements and ensuring continuity of life, security, and growth... and genuine concern for the future of the State of Israel."

The newly approved housing will be distributed among three settlements: Hashmonaim, located just beyond the Green Line in central Israel, and Givat Zeev and Beitar Illit, both near Jerusalem.

Most international powers consider Israel's settlements—built on land captured during the 1967 war—to be illegal, with numerous UN Security Council resolutions calling for Israel to cease all settlement activities.

"For us, all the settlements are illegal...and they are contrary to all the resolutions of international legitimacy," stated Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee, in comments to Reuters.

Israel maintains that settlements are vital to its security interests and points to biblical, historical, and political connections to justify its presence in the territory.

Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has escalated significantly. According to UN reports, October witnessed at least 264 attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank—the highest monthly total since the United Nations began documenting such incidents in 2006.