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Israel announces plans to expand West Bank settlements despite international pressure – JURIST

Israel’s nationalist government lodged plans on Sunday to approve the construction of thousands of new buildings in the occupied West Bank, despite growing pressure from the US to halt settlement expansion. The move raised concerns about achieving a lasting resolution in the region, as it hinders peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel. Despite pressure from the US, Israel’s nationalist-religious government has remained steadfast in its commitment to expanding these settlements.In response to the plans, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization Hussein Al-Sheikh stated, “We decided to boycott the meeting of the Higher Economic Committee between the two parties, which was scheduled to be held tomorrow.”On Monday, the EU condemned the move. They claimed that the move is illegal, as per international humanitarian law, and continues to put innocent civilian lives at risk. The US also said they oppose the move and urged Israel to return to its promises to halt expansion.The US, traditionally a key ally of Israel, has long criticized Israel’s expansionist policies, viewing them as detrimental to the prospects of a two-state solution. Alongside this, the international community previously expressed their concern over similar expansion plans, emphasizing the same endangerment of peace. In 2004, the ICJ ruled that the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (including East Jerusalem) breach of international law.Tensions continue to flare in the region, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health announcing Monday that at least 91 Palestinians were injured during an Israeli force raid in the city of Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank. The raid involved Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters.