Israeli cabinet has approved the legalization of five settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, setting off a firestorm of criticism and escalating tensions in the region. Extremist finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the decision, linking the authorization to recent unilateral recognitions of Palestine as a state by countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway.
The sanctioned settlement outposts, including Evyatar, Givat Assaf, Sde Efraim, Heletz, and Adorayim, have sparked outrage from the international community, with over 140 UN member states condemning the move. In addition, sanctions have been imposed on the Palestinian Authority for its efforts in pursuing cases against Israel in international courts, resulting in the cancellation of exit visas for PA officials.
Plans for the advancement of thousands of additional illegal settler units in the occupied territory are expected to move forward, escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
The settlements, home to over 600,000 Israelis, have long been a point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the international community condemning their construction as a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. Palestinians have expressed their desire for the West Bank to be part of a future independent state with East al-Quds as its capital.
Source: Palestinian Agencies (edited by Al-Manar English Website)
