The United States criticized on Thursday the Israeli authorities’ approval of a plan to build a new settlement in the occupied West Bank on land designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the plan on Wednesday, openly stating that Israel aimed to create elements to “combat the dangerous project of creating a Palestinian state.”
“Each of these new settlements would hinder the development of the Palestinian economy and freedom of movement and make a two-state solution less feasible,” Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the US State Department, told the press.
“We consider this to be in contradiction with international law, and we obviously oppose the expansion of settlements in the West Bank,” he added.
The US has increased its criticism of Israeli officials Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who oppose US President Joe Biden’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, is considered illegal under international law.
The Biden administration has consistently criticized Israel’s continued settlement activity in the West Bank, including before the Gaza war, but has taken no measures against its close ally.
The previous US administration under President Donald Trump broke with traditional US policy on settlements, deeming them not contrary to international law.
The Israeli anti-settlement NGO Peace Now has also condemned the approval of construction plans for the settlement on land declared state-owned by Israeli authorities.
The Palestinian village of Battir, whose homes are set to be adjacent to the future settlement, according to the NGO, is known for its agricultural terraces, vineyards, and olive groves and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
