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Israel's top security body has formally approved the establishment of nineteen fresh communities in the contested Palestinian territories, signaling a continued drive for community development.

Hardline Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and proposed the step alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated that the move was about blocking the creation of a sovereign Palestine.

Under international law, Israeli settlements in the disputed territories are considered unlawful.

The announcement has elicited criticism from Saudi Arabia. The United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has previously stated that Israel's "relentless" settlement expansion heightens frictions, curtails Palestinians' use of territory, and threatens the feasibility of a independent Palestine.

Increased Unrest and Political Repercussions

Unrest in the occupied West Bank has surged since the hostilities in the Gaza Strip erupted in the autumn of 2023, intensifying fears that settlement expansion could solidify Israel's occupation and weaken the possibility for a peaceful resolution based on two states.

The two-state solution involves the creation of a State of Palestine in the Palestinian territories, with East Jerusalem as its seat of government, largely along the boundaries that were in place before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Upon assuming leadership in late 2022, the present Israeli government has significantly increased the authorization of fresh communities and begun the legalisation process for informal outposts, recognising them as "neighbourhoods" of existing communities.

Ongoing Growth

The latest decision brings the total number of settlements recognized over the last three years to 69, per the figures from Minister Smotrich.

These approvals come a short time after the UN said that construction in settlements had hit its highest level since 2017.

The latest group of authorizations features the revival of a pair of settlements — Ganim and Kadim — which were evacuated almost two decades ago.

Earlier this year, the Israeli government authorized twenty-two new communities in the occupied West Bank - labeled as the most significant wave of approvals in many years.

Additionally, the Israeli government also approved projects last summer to construct over three thousand housing units in the controversial E1 project between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim community, a project that had been on hold for many years amid fierce global condemnation.

Regarding that plan, the Finance Minister stated it would "end the concept of a Palestinian state."

Demographic Facts and Global Reactions

Roughly seven hundred thousand settlers dwell in around 160 communities in the occupied territories, according to the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now. This is territory that Palestinians envision for a future independent state.

This ongoing construction has angered Arab states who have consistently said it erodes hopes for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has furthermore fueled fears about the possible incorporation of the disputed territories.

Ex- American President Donald Trump had once admonished Israel about this step, stating to TIME magazine that the country would lose all its support from the US if it happened.

In a policy change, the United Kingdom - along with other nations including Australia and Canada - formally recognized a Palestinian state, a major although primarily ceremonial adjustment in government policy.

Israel was against the move, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu saying that a sovereign Palestine "will not happen."