An ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who supports far–right politics declared on Tuesday that the Israeli occupation would not stop the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
It has been one week since US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked the Israeli occupation to halt settlements construction.
The Religious Zionism party, headed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, declared that there will not be a halt in the construction of settlements in the West Bank.
Members of Prime Minister Netanyahu‘s extreme right–wing coalition have endeavored to broaden Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which was taken by the Israeli occupation in a 1967 conflict.
Most major countries view the Israeli settlements in Palestine as unlawful.
Last year, in the formation of Israel‘s new government, coalition agreements included a pledge to progress and build up settlements in all parts of the nation.
Smotrich‘s remark arrives as two high–profile Israeli initiatives to demolish Palestinian buildings have been put on pause because of the intensifying international pressure on Netanyahu‘s government.
On Monday, the Israeli occupation authorities declared that it was suspending the plan to raze a Jerusalem dwelling housing 100 Palestinians due to strong diplomatic pressure.
Israel‘s Supreme Court gave permission to put off the contentious demolition of Khan Al Ahmar in the West Bank, which was originally planned to happen in 2018 due to a ruling that it was constructed without the proper permits, for another day. Up until this point, the lengthy legal process has resulted in eight postponements of the decision.
Despite this, demolitions are still occurring. The United Nations has reported that in the past month, the Israeli occupation has destroyed 39 Palestinian homes, structures, and businesses in Jerusalem, leaving more than 50 people without a home.
During his visit last week, Mr Blinken reiterated the US‘s support for a two–state solution to resolve the decades–long conflict and publicly urged for the halt of settlement expansion.
The United States and a majority of the international community consider the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory to be a major barrier to achieving a two–state solution. Records show that nearly half a million Jewish settlers now reside in West Bank settlements that are considered illegal by international laws.
