Israel’s government has recently approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, intensifying its ongoing settlement expansion efforts. This move comes amid escalating violence in the region and growing international criticism over Israel’s policies in the West Bank.

Far-Right Politicians Push Settlement Expansion

The decision was led by Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a West Bank settler himself, who proposed the initiative alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz. Smotrich stated that the approval of these settlements is aimed at blocking the creation of a Palestinian state, a move that further complicates the prospects for peace in the region.

Israel’s settlements in the West Bank are widely considered illegal under international law. The United Nations and numerous international bodies have repeatedly condemned settlement expansion, citing its role in fueling tensions, restricting Palestinian access to land, and threatening the viability of a two-state solution.

International Reaction and Criticism

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized Israel’s actions, labeling the country’s settlement expansion as “relentless” and harmful to the peace process. Other nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, also condemned the decision.

UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer warned that the move could undermine the US 20-Point Plan aimed at ending the Gaza war and damage prospects for long-term peace.

Since the deadly October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, violence in the West Bank has surged. Analysts fear that settlement expansion will entrench Israel’s occupation and further undermine the prospects of a viable Palestinian state.

Historical Context and the Two-State Solution

The two-state solution envisions an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based broadly on the borders before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Since the current government came to power in 2022, Israel has significantly accelerated settlement approvals, including legalizing unauthorized outposts by designating them as “neighborhoods” of existing settlements.

The latest decision increases the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to 69, according to Smotrich. Notably, the approvals include the re-establishment of two settlements, Ganim and Kadim, dismantled nearly 20 years ago.

In May 2025, Israel had approved 22 new settlements in the West Bank, marking the largest expansion in decades. In August, plans were approved to build more than 3,000 homes in the E1 project, linking Jerusalem with the Maale Adumim settlement, a plan previously frozen due to international opposition. Smotrich stated that this project would effectively “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Settlement Statistics and Regional Implications

Currently, about 700,000 settlers reside in roughly 160 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, occupying land Palestinians claim for a future independent state. The expansion of settlements has consistently angered Arab nations and raised fears of potential annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Past US administrations, including President Donald Trump, warned Israel that such moves could jeopardize American support. In September 2025, countries including the UK, Australia, and Canada formally recognized a Palestinian state, a symbolic but significant shift in global policy. Israel strongly opposed these moves, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that a Palestinian state “will not happen.”

Conclusion

Israel’s latest approval of 19 settlements in the West Bank highlights the ongoing controversy over settlement expansion and its impact on the two-state solution. The move has drawn international condemnation, further strained Israeli-Palestinian relations, and raised fears that prolonged settlement activity may foreclose prospects for peace in the region.