In its initial six months in power, Israel’s far-right government has granted approval for an unprecedented amount of construction in illegal settlements located in the occupied West Bank, as reported by the left-wing Israeli movement, Peace Now. On Thursday, the organization disclosed that a total of 12,855 settler housing units had been granted approval across the West Bank since January, marking the highest number recorded since Peace Now began monitoring such developments in 2012.”In the previous six months, the sole sector that Israel has actively advanced is the settlement enterprise,” stated Peace Now.The Higher Planning Council (HPC) of Israel convened on three occasions this year to facilitate the advancement of construction plans, the organization further disclosed.The expansion of settlements has emerged as a key focus for the newly formed government.
In the preceding month, Israel granted consent to blueprints for numerous housing units in the occupied West Bank, alongside bestowing wide-ranging authority upon far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to accelerate the settlement construction process. This move circumvented regulations that had been in effect for 27 years.
According to Peace Now, the Higher Planning Council (HPC) also granted its endorsement for the advancement of settlements in February and May of this year.
In recent times, there has been an increase in censure of Israel’s settlement policies from the United States. However, there is scant indication that this criticism would result in a shift in US policy towards Israel.
Presently, over 700,000 Israelis reside in illegal settlements situated in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in 1967.
In the same region, more than three million Palestinians inhabit the area, living under Israeli military rule, which rights groups have likened to the system of apartheid.
