Israel announces the creation of 22 new Jewish colonies in the Westordan / “a dangerous escalation”, denounces the Palestinian Presidency

The Israeli ministers announced on Thursday that the creation of 22 new Jewish colonies in the occupied West Bank was approved. The news was not received well by the Palestinian presidency that transmitted that the movement represents “a dangerous escalation that attracts the region in a cycle of violence and instability”, according to BBC and AFP.

The approval of the cabinet for the establishment of these settlements in the Cisiordania comes shortly after the proposal made by the Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, and the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich in this regard.

According to them, some of the colonies already exist as outposts, built without government authorization, but will now become legal under the Israeli legislation.

The problem of colonies, which are generally considered illegal in accordance with international law (although Israel challenges this) – is one of the most controversial dispute areas between Israel and Palestinians.

The Minister of Defense said that the movement “prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.”

In reply, the Palestinian presidency condemned this movement.

“The secret approval of the Israeli government for the establishment of 22 new settlements in the Westordan, including East Jerusalem, is a serious escalation and a challenge to international legitimacy and international law,” said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian Presidency.

The Israeli Surveillance Organization against Peace Now colonies said that the new colonies would “dramatically remodel the Cisiorordania and would strengthen the occupation even more.”

Israel has built about 160 colonies in which about 700,000 Jews have lived since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem – the territory desired by Palestinians as part of a future state – in the 1967 Middle East war.