Israeli Finance Minister Backs West Bank Expansion to “bury” Palestinian Statehood
Far right Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has approved plans for thousands of illegal homes and settlements to be built in the occupied West Bank. He goes on to say, "it buries the idea of a Palestinian state."
United Nations
Sphinx News: By Yiling Li
Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich has vocalized approval towards plans of expanding settlements in all of the occupied West Bank. The plane he alleges, will effectively “bury” hopes for a Palestinian state.
The settlement plan called the ‘E1 area project’, will set to create 3,000 new homes connecting Jerusalem and the existing illegal Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim.
Smotrich, describes the development as, “fulfilling the promise,” further calling the expansion a, “strategic, security, and demographic connection that ensures our capital remains united.”
In the midst of countless international leaders condemning the atrocities of Gaza and recognizing Palestinian statehood, the E1 area project further entrenches possibilities for a long term two state solution. Smotrich contends, “anyone who tries today in the world to recognise a Palestinian state will receive an answer from us on the ground.”
In response, the Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, reiterates the United Nations opposition to such a plan. “Our position on settlement is clear”, he says, “it goes against international law.”
Dujarric holds that a comprehensive solution does not see the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. Instead, the United Nations a long with the rest of the international community, would like to see an end to the senseless violence, along with discourse that will lead to a comprehensive two state solution.
