Israel’s security cabinet has authorised 19 new Jewish outposts in the occupied West Bank, escalating the government’s push to expand its presence in the disputed territory.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who proposed the move with Defence Minister Israel Katz to block Palestinian statehood, says it raises the three-year total to 69. The sites include five former unauthorised camps and the revival of Ganim and Kadim, evacuated in 2005; UN data marks this as the sharpest growth since 2017 amid surging violence.
Saudi Arabia condemned it as illegal under UN resolutions. The UK called it unlawful and a peace barrier, while UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of “relentless” expansion fuelling tensions and thwarting Palestinian statehood.
Since 2022, the Netanyahu government has fast-tracked outposts as settlement extensions, approving 22 in May and 3,401 E1 homes in August—Smotrich then said it would “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.” Peace Now counts 730,000-750,000 settlers in 160 sites Palestinians claim for statehood.
Arab states decry two-state sabotage; Trump warned in TIME of lost U.S. support if annexed. Last September, the UK with Australia and Canada recognised Palestine, but Netanyahu insisted a Palestinian state “will not happen.”