Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to separate 13 Jewish settlements in the West Bank from their neighboring communities, ultimately recognizing them as independent entities. This move is part of a larger effort to normalize and regulate settlements in the region, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leading the charge.
The decision to recognize these settlements as independent has faced criticism from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and Hamas, with concerns about disregarding international resolutions and solidifying colonial occupation. Despite opposition, Israeli politicians, emboldened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s support, are moving forward with their plans for sovereignty in the West Bank.
The 13 settlements being separated have been formally considered part of their parent communities for years, causing logistical challenges in their management. By recognizing them as independent entities, this will facilitate their advancement and development according to Smotrich.
Israel’s stance on the West Bank, captured in the 1967 war, is a contentious issue internationally, with most countries viewing Israeli settlements in the region as illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the land. The approval of these independent settlements represents another step in Israel’s efforts to assert its control over the region.
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