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https://theconversation.com/israel-is-cementing-its-control-over-the-west-bank-and-east-jerusalem-while-the-world-is-distracted-288607>
"With the world’s attention focused on the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the
delicate negotiations over the fate of Gaza, it’s easy to overlook what’s
happening in the other occupied Palestinian territories.
In recent days, the Israeli government has given final approval to a plan to
build a new settlement in an area of the West Bank known as E1, east of
Jerusalem. The government has opened up tenders for the construction of some
1,200 housing units.
Settlements in E1 would effectively split the West Bank into two parts, cutting
off the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the north from Bethlehem in the south.
It would also separate East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank.
Palestinians consider East Jerusalem an indispensable part of any future
Palestinian state.
Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, indicated this was
precisely the point. He said every new settlement in the West Bank puts
“another nail in the coffin” of a Palestinian state.
Israel has held off on approving settlements in E1 for decades due to
international pressure, particularly from previous US administrations that have
tried to maintain the possibility of a future Palestinian state, however
remote.
A joint statement by nearly two dozen Western nations condemned the move to
develop E1 last week and called “for its immediate reversal in the strongest
terms”.
However, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political fortunes waning in
the lead-up to elections in October, it appears he is willing to risk
international opposition to shore up votes at home, with the belief the Trump
administration will shield Israel diplomatically.
The move comes amid rising violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians
in the West Bank, which has led to at least 80 deaths this year.
Earlier this month, settlers laid siege to the homes of Palestinian families in
the village of Qusra. They cut off water and electricity supplies, damaged
orchards and prevented the families from leaving their homes.
The international reaction was swift. Even the US ambassador to Israel, Mike
Huckabee, a longtime supporter of Israeli settlements, denounced what he called
the “inexcusable and repugnant” actions of the settlers in Qusra.
The Israeli police, however, didn’t make any arrests. And the Israeli soldiers
sent to the area threw clothing belonging to a families out of the window of
their homes."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
