Cabinet Decision Sparks Controversy
Israel's Cabinet on Sunday, December 21, 2025, approved a proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. This decision, announced by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, marks a significant expansion of Israeli presence in the territory. According to Smotrich, this approval brings the total number of new settlements over the last few years to 69, establishing a new record.
The approval means the number of settlements in the West Bank has increased by nearly 50% during the current government's tenure, rising from 141 in 2022 to 210 after this latest authorization, as reported by the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. The newly approved settlements include Ganim and Kadim, two sites that were previously evacuated as part of a 2005 disengagement plan. The Cabinet's resolution also retroactively legalized several previously established settlement outposts or neighborhoods of existing settlements, and sanctioned construction on land from which Palestinians had been evacuated.
Political Motivations and Escalating Tensions
Finance Minister Smotrich, a vocal proponent of settlement expansion, explicitly stated that the move is intended to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. He declared, 'On the ground, we are blocking the establishment of a Palestinian terror state. We will continue to develop, build and settle in the land of our ancestors, with faith in the righteousness of the path.' The current Israeli government, dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Smotrich and Cabinet Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has accelerated this expansion.
This decision comes amidst a surge in violence in the West Bank. The United Nations reported that settler attacks against Palestinians have escalated, with an average of eight incidents daily during October's olive harvest, the highest rate since 2006. The approval also coincides with ongoing efforts by the United States to advance a new phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which began on October 10, and includes a potential 'pathway' to a Palestinian state.
International Condemnation and Legal Status
The international community widely considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories illegal under international law. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the 'relentless' expansion, stating it 'continues to fuel tensions, impede access by Palestinians to their land and threaten the viability of a fully independent, democratic, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State.'
A recent UN report from December 2025 highlighted that settlement expansion in 2025 reached its highest level since at least 2017. The report indicated that approximately 47,390 housing units were advanced, approved, or tendered in 2025, a significant increase compared to some 26,170 in 2024. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2024 issued an advisory opinion finding Israel's occupation illegal and ruling that Israel had 'an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers' from the occupied territories.
5 Comments
Leonardo
Israel has every right to build on its land. Security first!
Raphael
While Israel certainly has legitimate security concerns, this aggressive expansion of settlements makes any future peace agreement almost impossible to envision. It seems counterproductive to long-term stability.
Leonardo
While the current Israeli government views these settlements as vital for national security and historical rights, the international community's strong stance against their legality cannot be ignored. This move risks further isolating Israel on the world stage and fueling regional instability.
Donatello
It's understandable that some Israelis feel a need to assert their presence, however, the timing of this decision, amid calls for de-escalation and a ceasefire, is highly provocative. This will undoubtedly complicate international peace efforts.
Leonardo
International outcry means nothing when it comes to our safety and sovereignty.