https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-731389 (context):
In an exceptionally rare move, Israel’s security cabinet approved the transformation of ten illegal outposts into nine authorized West Bank settlements.
The ministers authorized the outposts — despite clear objections from the United States to such actions — in the aftermath of Jerusalem’s terror attack at a bus stop on Friday that claimed three lives, including two children.
(photo credit: AMIT SHABI/POOL)
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-731487 (US opinion):
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “deeply troubled by Israel’s decision to legalize nine West Bank settlements and to advance 10,000 new settler homes.
“Anything that takes us away from the vision of two states for two peoples is detrimental to Israel’s long-term security, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state,” Blinken added.
Also from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/13/israel-grants-authorisation-to-nine-settlements-in-west-bank (Israel PM & Palestinian foreign ministry opinion):
Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli PM): “The nine communities had existed for many years; some have existed for decades.” They were built without authorisation from the Israeli government.
The Palestinian foreign ministry: the latest decision crossed “all red lines” and undermined the revival of “the peace process”. – I assume “all red lines” means crossing the border where Israelis would be more favored than the Palestinians for this.
More than half a million Israelis live in more than 200 settlements built on Palestinian land considered illegal under international laws. Palestinians say the settlement expansion threatens the viability of the future Palestinian state as part of the two-state solution.
