The expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, coupled with escalating settler violence against Palestinian communities, is placing increasing pressure on the prospects for a two-state solution, according to the Director of the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA) at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Dr Sami Al-Arian.
His comments come amid growing concern over continued incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and renewed efforts by some Israeli groups to challenge the longstanding status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites. Jordan has historically served as the custodian of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in East Jerusalem through the Jerusalem Waqf.
Dr Al-Arian said the current Israeli government’s approach to the West Bank was set out when it took office in December 2022.
“From very early in this government, when it took office in December of 2022, it was agreed between Netanyahu and Smotrich that Smotrich would be appointed not only as finance minister, but he would also be in charge of the West Bank and the settler activity within the defence department,” he said.
According to Al-Arian, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has prioritised settlement expansion, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has increased the arming of settlers.
“Smotrich says that he wants the number of settlers to reach one million. Right now there are about 800,000. When Oslo started, it was 125,000,” he said.
He argued that the strategy extends beyond expanding settlements to changing the demographic makeup of the occupied territory.
“What they’re trying to do is increase settler violence within Area C so they can force whatever is left of the Palestinians to leave,” Al-Arian said.
He added that, since the current government took office, more than 3,500 Palestinians have reportedly been displaced and 45 communities forced to relocate.
“This is an attempt to depopulate the Palestinians, populate the area with settlers, and eventually perhaps even announce annexation,” he said.
Listen to the full interview below:
VOC News
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