Smotrich's Statements Confirm Support for Settlement Expansion and Refusal to Withdraw from Gaza

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reiterated the necessity of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, stating that "Israel will bring in one million settlers to the West Bank and will not withdraw from Gaza."

This came during statements made today, Thursday, August 14, where he pointed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support for imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, confirming that the U.S. administration fully supports Israeli steps in the region.

Smotrich added that "Israel must return settlement to Gaza," stating that Israeli forces "will not leave the areas they occupied in the sector." He also described support for the establishment of a Palestinian state as "suicide for Israel," according to his expression.

These statements come following Smotrich's announcement of Israel's approval to build 3,401 new settlement units in the E1 area, located between Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adumim settlement, which is considered a significant settlement expansion.

For his part, the official spokesman for the Palestinian presidency, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, condemned the new settlement projects, warning of their serious repercussions. Abu Rudeineh stated in remarks reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (Wafa): "The new settlement projects in the E1 area, the continuation of the genocide in Gaza, and the escalation of settler terrorism will only lead to more escalation, tension, and instability."

Abu Rudeineh affirmed that "international law, especially Security Council Resolution 2334, has confirmed that settlement in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, is all illegal."

This comes amid the escalation of armed settlers' attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, as well as the Israeli forces carrying out repeated incursions into refugee camps under the pretext of pursuing armed elements or members of Hamas.