Jerusalem | December 22, 2025
Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that has intensified regional tensions and triggered sharp international criticism.
The decision was announced by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said the expansion is intended to block the creation of a Palestinian state. With this latest approval, the total number of Israeli settlements sanctioned over the past three years has risen to 69, marking one of the most aggressive expansion phases in recent decades.
🏛️ Smotrich Defends Move, Palestinians Condemn
Smotrich, a long-time opponent of Palestinian statehood, framed the move as a strategic necessity. “We are strengthening Israel’s hold on the land,” he said, signaling the government’s hardline stance.
Palestinian authorities strongly condemned the decision, calling it a direct violation of international law and a deliberate attempt to erase prospects for a two-state solution. Officials warned that continued settlement expansion would only fuel instability and violence across the occupied territories.
🌐 International Reaction and UN Response
The United Nations reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and urged Israel to reverse the decision. Several global powers echoed this concern, warning that such actions undermine peace efforts and risk further unrest.
The development comes despite U.S. calls for de-escalation, particularly amid rising violence in the region involving Israeli forces and Palestinian groups.
🇮🇳 India Reaffirms Two-State Position
India expressed concern over the cabinet’s decision, reaffirming its long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution. New Delhi emphasized that unilateral actions harming the peace process could destabilize the region further.
⚠️ Rising Violence and Diplomatic Fallout
The settlement approval follows a period of heightened violence across the West Bank and complicates ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring calm. Analysts warn that further expansion could provoke renewed unrest, strain Israel’s relations with allies, and weaken already fragile peace negotiations.
As global scrutiny intensifies, the move underscores the deepening divide between Israel’s current leadership and the international consensus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
