Israel threatens to expand West Bank settlements
June 17, 2024 - 19:40
Israel said it is looking to “strengthen” Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank after several countries recognized a Palestinian state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said all of the proposals for strengthening settlements would be voted on at the next security cabinet meeting, CNN reported.
Norway, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia have each recognized an independent Palestinian state in recent weeks.
Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said in May that Israel should approve 10,000 settlements in the West Bank, establish a new settlement for every country that recognizes a state of Palestine, and cancel travel permits for Palestinian Authority officials.