Israel Legalizes Nine West Bank Settlement Outposts

    Photo: EPA [via BBC News]

    The Facts

    • The new Israeli government on Sunday approved the legalization of nine Jewish settlements in the West Bank that had previously been considered unauthorized outposts. Tel Aviv also announced plans to build new settlement homes.

    • Prime Minister Netanyahu argued that this decision was a response to a string of recent "murderous terrorist attacks" in East Jerusalem. Earlier, he had expressed his willingness to "strengthen settlements" in the West Bank, where over 475K Israelis live.


    The Spin

    Pro-Israel narrative

    Israel's new coalition government has made good on its campaign promise to legalize the so-called "young Israeli settlements" in the West Bank within 60 days in office. As the Jewish people have an exclusive and undeniable right to all parts of the Land of Israel, it is legitimate that it applies its sovereignty to Judea and Samaria.

    Pro-Palestine narrative

    The legalization of outposts in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal both under international and Israeli law, is part of a major offensive against Palestinians. Even Israel's most loyal ally, the US, has strongly opposed this unreasonable decision, but the apartheid regime is now preparing to introduce legislation to strip Palestinians of Israeli citizenship if they are charged with terrorism.

    Nerd narrative

    There is a 44% chance that Israel will recognize Palestine by 2070, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

    More neutral establishment stance articles

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