How Israel's expansion push deepens Palestinian suffering in West Bank

"The Israeli government has approved the formalisation of 19 so-called settlement outposts as independent settlements in the occupied West Bank. This is the third wave of such formalisations this year by the government, which considers settlement expansion and annexation a top priority. During an earlier ceremony of formalisation, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, We are advancing de facto sovereignty on the ground to prevent any possibility of establishing an Arab state in [the West Bank]."

"Settlement outposts, which are illegal under international law, are set up by a small group of settlers without prior government authorisation. This does not mean that the settlers, who are often more ideological and violent, do not enjoy government protection. Israeli human rights organisations say that settlers in these so-called outposts enjoy protection, electricity and other services from the Israeli army. The formalisation opens the door to additional government funds, infrastructure and expansion."

The Israeli government approved the formalisation of 19 settlement outposts as independent settlements in the occupied West Bank. This marks a third wave of formalisations this year and prioritises settlement expansion and annexation. The move advances de facto sovereignty on the ground to prevent any possibility of establishing an Arab state in the West Bank. Settlement outposts are illegal under international law and are typically set up without prior government authorisation. Settlers in many outposts receive protection, electricity, and services from the Israeli army despite ideological and violent profiles. Formalisation enables government funds, infrastructure, and expansion, concentrating many outposts in the northeastern West Bank and including two outposts evacuated in 2005, thereby entrenching settler presence, facilitating land appropriation, and increasing attacks against Palestinians, exacerbating fragmentation and dispossession.

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