Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue establishing illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank despite mounting international pressure, promising a major wave of “immigration” to the territory.
Netanyahu, who is facing tight elections in October, leads one of the most right-wing governments in Israel's history that has rapidly approved construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
The outposts, often made up of just a few mobile homes or makeshift structures, are illegal even under Israeli law, but their approval and legalisation have surged in recent years.
“We cannot ignore the numbers: 104 communities that we established and legalised together, and 160 farms, with more to come,” Netanyahu told an event for illegal settlers late on Tuesday, according to a statement from his office.
“You are fulfilling the vision of the Land of Israel, and this is our land,” he told attendees.
Netanyahu also said the illegal settlers were “preparing the ground for a very large wave of immigration that will come”, praising what he called “a tremendous effort by the government to fulfil the vision of generations”.
Settlement expansion draws criticism
Israel has faced growing international criticism over its illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, while violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has also surged.
Last week, several European leaders condemned a major settlement project after Israeli authorities opened bidding for more than 1,200 homes in the area.
The E1 plan, approved by Israel last year, threatens the territorial contiguity of northern and southern parts of the West Bank, further undermining prospects for an independent Palestinian state.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, where more than 500,000 illegal Israeli settlers now live alongside about three million Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s government includes ministers who openly support annexing the territory and is advancing further construction ahead of the October 27 elections.
Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has increased sharply since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza.
