'Israel' expedited settlement construction approvals since October 7

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
17 Apr 2024 12:34
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The Israeli occupation has just approved the construction of thousands of illegal settler housing units in occupied al-Quds.

The construction of the illegal "Givat Shaked" settlement project in the Beit Shafafa neighborhood, occupied al-Quds (Social media)

The Israeli occupation has approved thousands of house construction projects in the east part of occupied al-Quds, as it continues expediting the building of settlements over occupied lands.

The settlement projects are sponsored by governmental ministries and offices, with links tied to right-wing extremist groups that have made their goal of forcing Palestinians out clear.

However, The Guardian noted that "Israel's" rapid approval of the construction of thousands of settler housing units amid its six-month genocide in Gaza could cause a rift with the Biden administration.

Sari Kronish, from the Israeli human rights organization Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights, said that since October 7, ministerial offices had downsized their operations, all but planning authorities, which kept spawning projects for the government to approve at an "unparalleled" rate.

The settlement in eastern al-Quds was the first to be approved in over a decade and is speculated to intentionally obstruct the possibility of instating an independent Palestinian state as the "two-state solution" gains momentum due to the war on Gaza.

An expansion of the "Kidmat Zion" settlement in the Palestinian Ras al-Amud neighborhood has also been approved.

The annexation of Beit Safafa

Moreover, in the Palestinian Beit Safafa, two projects have also been authorized. "Givat Hamatos" had already been under construction but was paused until authorities resumed operations in 2020, leading up to heavy construction just last month. Israel Land Authority, a governmental organization, was the applicant for the project and listed the al-Quds municipality and "Israel" as its stakeholders.

The other, "Givat Shaked", will usurp more Palestinian lands to build housing complexes. It is sponsored by the "Ministry of Justice" and the Jerusalem Development Authority, which aims at developing al-Quds as a hub of economic activity and productivity, at the expense of Palestinian infrastructure.

The "Givat Shaked" project has been a source of controversy since its initiation, as it jeopardized the banners of the Oslo Accords and garnered the rejection of the United States. However, two years ago, it was reintroduced under claims that "Palestinians have no control" over the area of its construction.

Ahmad Salman, 71, said, “Our family has been here for 250 years … Now I have a black hole in my heart because I can’t see how my children and grandchildren can spend their lives here.”

He also stated that the municipality has been neglecting Palestinian demands, even more blatantly since the occupation launched its war on Gaza, noting that appeals have been submitted but in vain.

The Israel Land Authority also initiated a third project coined Lower Aqueduct, which includes the construction of a large settlement facing a Palestinian neighborhood. However, Amy Cohen, of Ir Amim, an Israeli human rights NGO based in al-Quds, stated that "Israel" builds its settlements strategically to later expand and restrict Palestinian spaces. She also said that while these projects are approved, the expansion of Palestinian infrastructure is prohibited.

'Israel' seizes more occupied lands

Last month, the Israeli occupation government issued an order to seize 8,000 dunams of land in the Jordan Valley, east of the occupied West Bank, with the decision signed by extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

This brings the total area of land further occupied by "Israel" in the West Bank in only 2024 to 10,640 dunams, after 2,640 dunams were seized earlier this year: 2,350 units in "Ma’ale Adumim", 300 in "Keidar", and 694 in "Efrat".

Israeli authorities are planning to construct hundreds of housing units on the occupied land, in addition to establishing industrial and commercial areas. The plan is expected to take about two years to complete and will require political approval.

Moreover, Israeli Minister Orit Strook revealed in early March that the Israeli occupation government has initiated construction plans for 3,500 settler housing units in the occupied West Bank amid Smotrich's promise last month to extend settlements.

Israeli Minister Orit Stock, Smotrich's ally, posted on X, "Nearly 3,500 settlement units."

"We promised -- we are delivering... Together we will continue to advance the settlements," Strook added.