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Israel's defense cabinet has given its endorsement to the recognition of 19 additional settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, signaling a sustained drive for territorial growth.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and advocated for the move in concert with Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated that the approval was intended for preventing the formation of a Palestinian state.

It is important to note that Jewish communities in the disputed territories are deemed unlawful.

The move has drawn criticism from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has commented that Israel's "unceasing" growth of communities fuels frictions, limits Palestinians' use of territory, and undermines the feasibility of a independent Palestinian state.

Increased Tensions and Political Repercussions

Clashes in the occupied West Bank has increased sharply since the hostilities in Gaza started in the autumn of 2023, intensifying concerns that the growth of communities could solidify the Israeli presence and undermine the prospects for a two-state solution.

The concept of two states involves the formation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, roughly along the boundaries that were in place before the 1967 Six-Day Arab-Israeli war.

Upon assuming leadership in late 2022, the present government in Jerusalem has significantly increased the green-lighting of fresh communities and initiated the legalisation process for previously illegal settler outposts, classifying them as "extensions" of established settlements.

A Pattern of Expansion

The most recent decision pushes the cumulative figure of communities approved over the preceding 36 months to 69, as stated by the Finance Minister.

These decisions come a short time after the UN reported that construction in settlements had hit its highest level since 2017.

The most recent group of approvals features the revival of a pair of communities — Ganim and Kadim — which were removed nearly two decades ago.

Previously, the Israeli government authorized twenty-two additional communities in the territories - what was the largest wave of approvals in many years.

Furthermore, the government also approved blueprints in August to erect over three thousand homes in the controversial E1 corridor between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement, a project that had been frozen for decades amid intense global opposition.

On that occasion, Smotrich stated it would "end the concept of a Palestinian state."

Population Realities and International Response

An estimated seven hundred thousand settlers reside in about 160 settlements in the occupied territories, as per data from the Israel-based monitoring organization Peace Now. This is territory that the Palestinian people seek for a future sovereign nation.

This ongoing construction has drawn ire from Arab states who have repeatedly contended it undermines chances for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has also fueled fears about the possible formal annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Former US President Donald Trump had once warned Israel about this step, telling TIME magazine that the country would lose all its support from the US if it occurred.

Recently, the UK - joined by other countries such as Australia and Canada - recognised a Palestinian state, a significant although primarily ceremonial shift in official stance.

The Israeli government strongly rejected this step, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that a sovereign Palestine "is not going to occur."