In early April, the Israeli security cabinet approved the construction of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank - almost unnoticed. The trend has already been described as worrying.
The newest settlement in the occupied West Bank is called Maoz Tzur and was officially inaugurated on Thursday. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who arrived especially for the occasion, announced that many more settlements will be built in Judea and Samaria, as Israel calls the occupied West Bank.
According to Smotrich, "breaking the idea of a Palestinian state" goes hand in hand with "strengthening the security of the State of Israel". And Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who also attended the opening of the settlement, was delighted with the "beautiful biblical view", writes the German public media ARD. Ohana's words are also quoted: "Times are difficult, Israel has been at war for more than two years". And further: "These are our lands".
The approval of the new settlements was kept secret
In April, the Israeli security cabinet approved the construction of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are in violation of international law. Never before have so many new settlements for settlers been approved, the publication comments and adds another important touch to the topic: according to the newspaper "Yediot Ahronot" the approval of the new settlements was kept secret - so as not to add additional tension during the war in Iran. This was at the request of the US government, and after reaching a ceasefire with Iran, the Israeli government was quick to announce the news, according to the Israeli NGO "Peace Now".
One of their most competent experts on Israeli settlements, Yonatan Mizrahi, told ARD that the 34 settlements are scattered throughout the West Bank and are located in areas that "were previously inhabited mainly by Palestinians - not necessarily near other settlements".
"A very worrying plan"
The organization expresses "great concern" regarding the settlements in the north, for example around Jenin - an area where there have been no settlements for the past 20 years. "This is a very, very worrying plan", says Mizrahi.
In this step by Netanyahu's Israeli government, the expert sees a clear signal to his voters, who will have to vote again in October at the latest. The prime minister will be able to stand before them and say that by encouraging the construction of so many new settlements, he has "prevented the creation of a Palestinian state," the German public broadcaster ARD also points out.