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The nation's defense cabinet has voted to recognize the establishment of nineteen additional communities in the disputed Palestinian territories, marking a sustained drive for territorial growth.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and advocated for the measure together with Defense Chief Israel Katz, declared that the decision was about preventing the formation of a sovereign Palestine.

Under international law, Jewish communities in the disputed territories are considered unlawful.

The announcement has drawn criticism from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said that Israel's "relentless" growth of communities heightens tensions, curtails Palestinian use of land, and undermines the prospects of a independent Palestinian state.

Rising Unrest and Diplomatic Repercussions

Violence in the occupied West Bank has escalated since the war in Gaza erupted in the autumn of 2023, adding to apprehensions that settlement expansion could deepen the Israeli presence and damage the prospects for a two-state solution.

The two-state solution envisions the creation of a State of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with Jerusalem's eastern sector as its seat of government, largely along the borders that were in place prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Upon assuming leadership in 2022, the incumbent Israeli government has greatly accelerated the authorization of new settlements and initiated the formal recognition for informal settler outposts, recognising them as "neighbourhoods" of established communities.

A Pattern of Expansion

The most recent approval brings the cumulative figure of settlements approved over the past three years to sixty-nine, per the figures from Smotrich.

These approvals come a short time after the UN reported that construction in settlements had attained its most intense pace since 2017.

The newest round of authorizations includes the rebuilding of a pair of settlements — Ganim and Kadim — which were removed nearly 20 years ago.

Previously, Israel gave the nod to twenty-two additional settlements in the territories - what was the most significant expansion in decades.

In a related development, the government gave the go-ahead for projects last summer to build over 3,000 residences in the controversial E1 corridor between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim community, a project that had been on hold for many years amid intense international opposition.

On that occasion, Smotrich remarked it would "end the idea of a Palestinian state."

Population Facts and International Reactions

Approximately 700,000 settlers live in about 160 communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now. This is land that Palestinians aspire to have for a prospective sovereign nation.

Settlement expansion has angered Arab states who have steadfastly argued it erodes hopes for a two-state solution.

It has furthermore fueled concerns about the eventual formal annexation of the disputed territories.

Former American President Donald Trump had previously warned the Israeli leadership about such a move, stating to a publication that the country would forfeit its backing from the US if it occurred.

In a policy change, the UK - together with other countries such as Australia and Canada - recognised a Palestinian state, a significant although largely symbolic change in official stance.

Israel opposed the move, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that a sovereign Palestine "will not happen."