- Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state," adding "This place belongs to us."
- Western nations have condemned Israel's E1 West Bank settlement plan, reflecting growing international concern over the expansion of settlements.
- Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, welcomed the international criticism and called for "concrete measures to halt the implementation of the E1 plan."
- There has been a notable increase in the speed of settlement construction since 2022, when Netanyahu returned to power, further escalating after the start of the Gaza war triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.
- One example is Tzofim, a settlement in the north west of the territory, where BBC Verify analysis of satellite imagery shows the construction of around 185 new buildings since 2022.
Western nations have united in their condemnation of Israel's E1 West Bank settlement plan, which they argue threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.2
In a joint statement, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada labeled the plans "unacceptable" and warned they would "drive a wedge through the West Bank", a sentiment echoed by the European Union.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that his government will not support the establishment of a Palestinian state, stating, "We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us."1
In response, Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, welcomed the international condemnation and called for concrete measures to halt the E1 plan's implementation.3
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the rapid increase in settlement construction since 2022, following Netanyahu's return to power at the head of a right-wing coalition. Israel has built about 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews since 1967, with a notable acceleration in construction after the recent Gaza war, which began following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023.4
The construction of new buildings, such as the 185 new structures in the Tzofim settlement, highlights the ongoing expansion of settlements, many of which are illegal under both Israeli and international law.5
The international community's response remains critical as the situation evolves, with calls for action to prevent further escalation.
“Settlement construction has accelerated since Netanyahu returned to power in 2022, with BBC Verify satellite imagery showing around 185 new buildings in the Tzofim settlement alone. The Gaza war, triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack, further escalated the pace of building.”
BBC
