Israel Legalizes Nine West Bank Settlement Outposts

Facts

• The new Israeli government on Sunday approved the legalization of nine Jewish settlements in the West Bank that had previously been considered unauthorized outposts. Tel Aviv also announced plans to build new settlement homes.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu argued that this decision was a response to a string of recent "murderous terrorist attacks" in East Jerusalem. Earlier, he had expressed his willingness to "strengthen settlements" in the West Bank, where over 475K Israelis live.
• The government will have to prove that the outposts — listed as Avigayil, Beit Hogla, Givat Harel, Givat Arnon, Mitzpe Yehuda, Malachei Hashalom, Asahel, Sde Boaz, and Shacharit — were established on what Israel considers to be state land as the High Court of Justice is likely to object to such a move.
• National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with defense ministry Bezalel Smotrich, had requested the cabinet to legalize 77 outposts, but that was reportedly considered neither feasible nor acceptable by those participating in the meeting.
• Despite drawing condemnation from the United Nations, there are reportedly more than 200 Israeli settlements built on land where Palestinians seek statehood. Reacting to this latest decision, Palestinian officials claimed that Israel crossed "all red lines" and undermined the revival of "the peace process."
• The first legalization of outposts by the Israeli government since 2012 was also criticized by the Biden admin., which manifested its opposition to any unilateral moves that could frustrate negotiations toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sources: BBC News, Guardian, Times of Israel, Haaretz, Al Jazeera, and Axios.

Narratives

• Pro-Israel, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israel's new coalition government has made good on its campaign promise to legalize the so-called "young Israeli settlements" in the West Bank within 60 days in office. As the Jewish people have an exclusive and undeniable right to all parts of the Land of Israel, it is legitimate that it applies its sovereignty to Judea and Samaria.
• Pro-Palestine, as provided by Middle East Monitor. The legalization of outposts in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal both under international and Israeli law, is part of a major offensive against Palestinians. Even Israel's most loyal ally, the US, has strongly opposed this unreasonable decision, but the apartheid regime is now preparing to introduce legislation to strip Palestinians of Israeli citizenship if they are charged with terrorism.

Predictions