Israel’s Settlement Expansion Plan Threatens Palestinian Statehood, Faces Global Backlash

Israel’s new settlement plan, which includes building 3,400 homes for Israeli settlers, will sever much of the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem while linking up thousands of settlements in the disputed territory. East Jerusalem is especially important to Palestinians, who see it as the capital of a future independent state. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law—even with Israeli planning approval.

Hamdah Salhut explained that the plan erases the possibility of territorial continuity for Palestinians between the West Bank and East Jerusalem—effectively undermining hopes for a future Palestinian state. The UN General Assembly responded in September 2024 with a resolution demanding Israel end its military presence in the West Bank, stop new settlements, and evacuate settlers from occupied land. Over 100 countries voted for this resolution; just 14 opposed it. This came after the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s continued West Bank presence unlawful and demanded an immediate halt to settlement expansion, though Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed the findings as “decision of lies”.

International reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. 21 countries, including the UK, Australia, and Japan, condemned Israel’s latest settlement initiative. Germany has supported a France-led proposal for a two-state solution and is expected to back a UN resolution calling for a New York Declaration—creating a Palestinian state with a right of return for refugees. Belgium, France, and Malta have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state at the next UN General Assembly session, while others such as Australia, Canada, and the UK have offered conditional recognitions.

Regional and global organizations, including the EU, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have all issued statements condemning Israel’s settlement moves as blatant violations of international law that threaten long-term peace. Advocacy groups warn that the settlement expansion will permanently break the West Bank’s geographical links and render future Palestinian statehood impossible.

Even as the world focuses on violence in Gaza, many diplomats say Israel’s settlement expansion in E1 and surrounding areas will bury any hope for a negotiated two-state solution. Israeli ministers have publicly celebrated these moves, calling them “nails in the coffin” of the Palestinian state idea, while some right-wing officials push for outright annexation of much of the West Bank.