Latest news with #Samaria
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Don't threaten us with sanctions': Katz visits West Bank as new settlements approved
Katz also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and others who support the recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such efforts would be meaningless. Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the northern West Bank settlement of Sa-Nur on Friday alongside Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, shortly after the government approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the region. Describing the move as a 'historic moment for settlements,' Katz framed the decision as a strong response to terrorism and a signal to international leaders. He also pushed back against the possibility of foreign sanctions in response to Israeli policy. 'Don't threaten us with sanctions — we will not be brought to our knees, and we will not bow to threats,' he said. 'The settlement movement in Judea and Samaria will continue to grow stronger, and the State of Israel will flourish and thrive.' He criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and others who support the recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such efforts would be meaningless: "It is also a clear message to Macron and his allies." 'You may recognize a Palestinian state on paper, but that paper will end up in the dustbin of history,' Katz declared.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Far-right Israeli minister announces creation of 22 West Bank settlements
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law. (EPA Images pic) JERUSALEM : Far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced today the creation in the occupied West Bank of 22 new settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. 'We have made a historic decision for the development of settlements: 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, renewing settlement in the north of Samaria, and reinforcing the eastern axis of the State of Israel,' the minister said on X, using the Israeli term for the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967. 'Next step: sovereignty!' he added. In a statement on Telegram, the Likud party of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move a 'once-in-a-generation decision', saying the initiative had been led by Smotrich and defence minister Israel Katz and approved by the security cabinet. 'The decision also includes the establishment of four communities along the eastern border with Jordan, as part of strengthening Israel's eastern backbone, national security and strategic grip on the area,' it said. The party published a map showing the 22 sites spread across the territory. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are condemned by the United Nations as one of the main obstacles to a lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. The announcement comes ahead of an international conference to be led by France and Saudi Arabia at UN headquarters in New York next month, which is meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also comes after US envoy Steve Witkoff said yesterday he had 'very good feelings' about the prospects for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, adding that he expected to send out a new proposal imminently.
News24
4 days ago
- General
- News24
Israel announces ‘historic decision' of 22 new settlements in the West Bank
Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are condemned by the United Nations. The move was approved by the security cabinet. Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Thursday the creation in the occupied West Bank of 22 new settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. 'We have made a historic decision for the development of settlements: 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, renewing settlement in the north of Samaria, and reinforcing the eastern axis of the State of Israel,' the minister said on X, using the Israeli term for the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967. 'Next step: sovereignty!' he added. In a statement on Telegram, the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move a 'once-in-a-generation decision', saying the initiative had been led by Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz and approved by the security cabinet. 'The decision also includes the establishment of four communities along the eastern border with Jordan, as part of strengthening Israel's eastern backbone, national security and strategic grip on the area,' it said. The party published a map showing the 22 sites spread across the territory. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are condemned by the United Nations as one of the main obstacles to a lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Mohammad Mansour/AFP The announcement comes ahead of an international conference to be led by France and Saudi Arabia at UN headquarters in New York next month, which is meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also comes after US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Wednesday he had 'very good feelings' about the prospects for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, adding that he expected to send out a new proposal imminently. Reuters reported that Israeli settlers torched Palestinian vehicles and houses in the occupied West Bank, Israel's army and villagers said, the latest in a series of attacks on the village of Bruqin, close to the location where a pregnant settler was killed this month. Palestinian residents in Bruqin, who say they have faced constant attacks and abuse from Israeli settlers nearby, said a large group had shown up during the night, throwing Molotov cocktails and beating anyone in their way. Zain Jaafar/AFP Akram Sabra, a resident of the village, said he had left his home to watch as dozens, possibly a hundred, people burned cars belonging to him and his family and threw a Molotov cocktail incendiary at his son's house. 'I saw my vehicles were burned and then they beat me on the head and I am still dizzy,' he said. The Israeli military said it had received a report that Israeli civilians had vandalised property in the area of the village, in the northern part of the West Bank. 'Upon receiving the report, IDF (Israel Defence Force) soldiers were dispatched to the scene. The suspects fled prior to the arrival of IDF soldiers,' it said, adding that no injuries were reported and the incident was under review. Israeli forces have imposed a strict lockdown in and around Bruqin following the killing of Tzeela Gez, a heavily pregnant resident of the nearby settlement of Bruchin.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Hospital says baby of Israeli woman killed in West Bank has died
The baby of an Israeli woman killed by a Palestinian gunman in the occupied West Bank two weeks ago has died, the hospital treating the newborn said Thursday. On May 14, Tzeela Gez was on her way from her home in the West Bank settlement of Bruchin to a Tel Aviv hospital to give birth when the gunman opened fire on the vehicle she was travelling in with her husband. Gez, 37, died of her wounds, while her baby was delivered by emergency caesarean section, the hospital that treated them said. But on Thursday, Schneider Children's Medical Center announced 'with regret that last night the baby Ravid Chaim, who was born after the terror attack in Samaria (the northern West Bank) about two weeks ago in which his mother, Tzeela Gez, of blessed memory, was murdered, has passed away.' Ravid had been in 'serious condition in the neonatal intensive care unit', where doctors had 'fought for his life', the hospital added. 'Unfortunately, despite the many efforts, the hospital was forced in recent hours to declare his death.' The Israeli military said last week that the shooter had been identified and 'eliminated' following a manhunt in the West Bank. Like all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, Bruchin is considered illegal under international law. 'There are no words that can console the murder of a newborn infant together with his mother,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. 'The heroism of the pioneering settlers in Judea and Samaria and their self-sacrifice are what will defeat all our enemies.' Israel's far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir called the attack a reminder of 'the need for a decisive response against a cruel enemy who kills mothers and children as a pastime.' Denouncing the deaths, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, called for 'construction and more construction in memory of Ravid and Tzeela.' Earlier on Thursday, Israel announced that the security cabinet had approved the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov't approves establishment of 22 new West Bank settlements
The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border. The government has approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, as part of a joint initiative by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the ministries announced in a joint statement on Thursday. The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border. According to the Defense Ministry, the move follows the repeal of the Disengagement Law in specific areas, enabling renewed activity in Homesh and Sa-Nur. The plan is intended to expand settlement infrastructure and strengthen Israel's strategic position across the region. The plan includes the return of residential activity to previously evacuated areas and the creation of four new settlements along the eastern border near Jordan. These developments are intended to reinforce Israeli control along a key territorial corridor and are aligned with broader government planning to support population growth and land use in designated zones, the Defense Ministry said. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the decision supports Israel's regional positioning and settlement framework: 'The decision to establish 22 new settlements in theWest Bank strengthens our presence in the area and affirms our commitment to ensuring security for the population centers of Israel,' Katz said. 'It is a step toward reinforcing our eastern axis and addressing ongoing security challenges.' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the move represents a shift in government policy toward expanded development: 'With the backing of the cabinet, we are advancing a plan that focuses on construction and long-term development,' he said. 'Our goal is to ensure continued presence and infrastructure growth in key areas.' Religious Zionist Party (RZP) MK Orit Strock commented on the decision on a post on X/Twitter, saying, "We made a promise, and we kept it. New settlements are being established in Judea and Samaria, closing a gap of decades in the settlement of the land and providing a Zionist response to vast spaces that have been neglected and abandoned." "Through our actions, we express our right to the land and our duty towards it. We continue to correct the sin of disengagement."
