Israel Plans New Settlements in West Bank, Sparking Palestinian Concerns

Israel has earmarked broad swathes of the West Bank for scores of new settlements, a move that could isolate Palestinian villages and tighten West Jerusalem’s grip on the territory. RT’s Charlotte Dubenskij has taken a closer look at the expansion plans.

The Israeli government has accelerated its push to annex larger and larger portions of the West Bank in recent years, accompanied by escalating settler violence. The international community and the US, Israel’s biggest ally, has also opposed the bid, with President Donald Trump vowing to “not allow” an annexation.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister and West Bank settler who also holds authority in the Defense Ministry over civilian affairs in the region, is backing the land grab. On Tuesday, he annulled parts of a key 1997 Israeli-Palestinian agreement which gave Hebron Palestinian municipality authority over planning, zoning, and construction in parts of the city.

According to draft plans reported last week, Israel is expected to allocate more than $350 million over several years to establish 61 settlements across the West Bank.

The push is “creating a fear amongst Palestinians that villages will be cut off from each other, they will be entirely isolated and that would give the Israelis more control over this land,” Dubenskij reported.

With demolitions in West Bank villages increasing in recent years, local Palestinians fear further displacement, fragmentation of the local society, and restrictions on movement.

Walls, roads between Israeli settlements, and IDF checkpoints are expected to accompany the push, crushing the nascent dream of establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank.

Watch RT’s full report from the area: