Israelis authorize 3 illegal settlements, Western priorities elsewhere
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The occupation entity continues its systemic displacement of Palestinians from their lands to house illegal settlers on the stolen territories.
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Israeli occupation settlers at a new illegal outpost under construction in the occupied West Bank, occupied Palestine in July 2023. (AFP)
The Israeli occupation entity authorized the construction of more illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank as part of "Tel Aviv's" escalating campaign to systematically annex Palestinian lands and expel hundreds of Palestinians from their homes, and giving them away to their settlers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement on Wednesday, noting that the three new illegal outposts will be established in "Beit Hoglah, located between Ariha and the Dead Sea, in addition to "Avigail" and "Asael" in southern Al-Khalil.
While the outposts "legalized" by the entity are not recognized by the international community, Western nations continue to turn a blind eye to the ongoing land theft, occasionally leaving "Israel" with just a slap on the wrist.
Read more: The Independent: 'Israel' depriving the occupied West Bank of water
The Israeli occupation's government announced in February its decision to authorize the building of nine illegal settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank and initiate a project to build some 10,000 housing units for Israeli settlers on UN-recognized occupied Palestinian territories.
Responding to the Israeli announcement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared last February that all Israeli-built settlements are "illegal" and "must stop." The UNSC also issued a statement warning that these measures "impede peace."
“All settlement activity is illegal under international law," Guterres said in an address to UN members.
Read more: Israeli occupation's settlement expansion erases Palestinian villages
US threatened to veto declaration
While the United Nations attempted to draft a resolution to force the occupation entity to "immediately and completely cease" settlement activities in occupied Palestinian areas, the United States warned that it would veto the declaration if it condemned the entity, and demanded "a more symbolic" joint statement be released.
Washington was successful in delaying the proposed resolution, while the international community remained put.
Just a few months later in June, the occupation government announced its decision to hasten the process of approving settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, in addition to giving Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich even more authority to approve new settlement projects.
Western humanitarian priorities
Before Netanyahu's announcement, the prime minister discussed with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken “deepening Israel’s integration in the region.”
Attempting to focus on more urgent matters, including the fight with Russia and rivalry with China, the United States has been pushing for stabilization and calm in West Asia, especially with regards to the Israeli policies and aggression on Palestinians, which prompts Resistance retaliation.
Read more: Placing murderer, victim on same pedestal, US calls for 'mutual calm'
Saudi Arabia announced that establishing ties with the occupation entity will not happen unless a number of conditions are fulfilled, including a halt in Israeli expansion and the implementation of the 2002 "Arab Peace Initiative" - the basis of which is the so-called "Two-State solution." But so far, Netayahu's government has rejected the conditions.
A US State Department spokesperson earlier said that the United States had been “clear and consistent” that expanding settlements “undermines the geographic viability of a two-state solution and exacerbates tensions.”
“We strongly oppose the advancement of settlements… and urge Israel to refrain from this activity,” the spokesperson added.
