The Israeli government’s recent massive land grab in the West Bank has sparked concern and condemnation. Peace Now, an anti-settlement group, revealed that over 2,300 hectares of land have been seized this year alone, the largest such action since the Oslo Accords in 1993. This latest land seizure in the Jordan Valley amounts to over 1,200 hectares, opening the door for more settlement construction.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been at the forefront of this aggressive land appropriation, with plans to annex the West Bank without overtly annexing it. The surge in land seizures and settlement expansions under his authority signals a troubling trend towards further illegal occupation and displacement.
Despite international condemnation, the Israeli government continues to prioritize the growth of settlements, with plans to accommodate up to half a million settlers in the West Bank. This unilateral action not only violates international law but also exacerbates tensions and impedes a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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