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The nation's top security body has given its endorsement to the establishment of 19 new settlements in the contested Palestinian territories, signaling a sustained campaign for settlement expansion.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and advocated for the measure alongside Defense Chief Israel Katz, stated that the move was aimed at blocking the formation of a sovereign Palestine.

It is important to note that Jewish communities in the disputed territories are deemed in violation of international law.

The move has elicited criticism from Saudi Arabia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has previously stated that Israel's "relentless" growth of communities heightens frictions, restricts Palestinians' use of land, and jeopardizes the prospects of a sovereign Palestine.

Increased Unrest and Political Repercussions

Clashes in the region has escalated since the conflict in Gaza started in the autumn of 2023, intensifying fears that settlement expansion could deepen Israel's occupation and weaken the prospects for a peaceful resolution based on two states.

The concept of two states refers to the formation of a Palestinian state in the Palestinian territories, with East Jerusalem as its seat of government, largely along the lines that were in place prior to the 1967 Middle East war.

Upon assuming leadership in 2022, the present government in Jerusalem has ramped up the approval of new settlements and begun the legalisation process for unauthorised settler outposts, classifying them as "neighbourhoods" of established settlements.

Sustained Growth

The most recent approval takes the total number of settlements recognized over the preceding 36 months to 69, according to the Finance Minister.

These authorizations arrive just days after the UN stated that settlement expansion had attained its peak since the year 2017.

The latest batch of authorizations features the revival of two settlements — Ganim and Kadim — which were evacuated nearly 20 years ago.

Previously, the Israeli government gave the nod to 22 new communities in the territories - described as the biggest expansion in many years.

In a related development, the government gave the go-ahead for plans last summer to construct more than 3,000 residences in the so-called E1 area between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim community, a project that had been frozen for many years amid intense global opposition.

Regarding that plan, Smotrich said it would "bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

Population Facts and International Response

Approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers dwell in around one hundred and sixty communities in the occupied territories, as per data from the Israel-based anti-settlement group Peace Now. This is land that the Palestinian people seek for a future independent state.

Settlement expansion has provoked neighboring countries who have steadfastly contended it harms hopes for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has furthermore fueled concerns about the eventual annexing of the disputed territories.

Ex- American President Donald Trump had once admonished the Israeli leadership about annexation, telling TIME magazine that the country would lose all its support from the US if it happened.

In a policy change, the UK - along with other countries such as Australia and Canada - recognised a Palestinian state, a significant although largely symbolic change in official stance.

Israel opposed the move, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that a sovereign Palestine "is not going to occur."