Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:25pm on 29 May 2025,Thursday International
Israel has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, marking the largest expansion in over 30 years. Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the move, calling it a strategic step to prevent a Palestinian state. Critics, including the Palestinian Authority and watchdog Peace Now, condemned it as a dangerous escalation that undermines peace efforts and entrenches occupation. The move includes legalizing unauthorized outposts and creating new settlements. The international community, including Jordan and the UK, denounced the expansion as a violation of international law and a threat to the two-state solution. (PC: AFP)
