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Former German Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Steffen Seibert, strongly criticized the Israeli government's policy regarding the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
An Israeli minister announced that the government has approved the establishment of 104 new settlements in the West Bank. This decision has drawn international criticism regarding the expansion of Israeli presence in the disputed territory.
UNESCO has placed the ancient site of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank and several castles in Lebanon on its endangered heritage list. This decision comes amidst Israeli intentions to expropriate the Sebastia site and follows deadly settler violence in the West Bank, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to vow new settlements.
British lawmakers are pressing their government for an immediate ban on imports from Israeli West Bank settlements, arguing that if settlements are illegal, trade should be halted.
European Union ministers are set to debate options for curbing trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The discussions will explore potential restrictions on commercial activities.
An NGO reports that the Israeli government is mulling a huge funding proposal to expand West Bank settlements, which, if passed, would mark one of the largest expansions of illegal Israeli settlements in decades.
The Israeli Knesset has approved tax benefits for West Bank settlements, a decision that has drawn criticism from the opposition and condemnation from Türkiye. This move further solidifies Israeli presence in the disputed territories.
The Netherlands has announced its intention to ban the import and sale of goods from Israeli West Bank settlements, while Ireland is advocating for a similar EU-wide ban on trade with these occupied territories.
The European Union is preparing for potential jet fuel shortages by considering US imports and has issued warnings to airlines, stating that high fuel prices do not exempt them from passenger compensation for cancellations or justify retroactive fuel surcharges.
The Israeli cabinet secretly approved the construction of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank nearly two weeks ago, including both new constructions and the legalization of existing outposts.
The Israeli Knesset has advanced a bill to grant tax benefits for West Bank settlements, passing its first reading with 37 votes in favor and 33 against.
The United States will provide passport services inside an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank for the first time, the US embassy in Jerusalem has announced. The move applies to the settlement of Efrat and will begin on 27 February. The decision has drawn condemnation from Palestinian officials, who describe it as a breach of international law. In a statement, the US embassy said consular officers would offer routine passport services in Efrat for one day as part of an outreach i...
• Pakistan asks international community to reject provocative decision allowing takeover of occupied land as state property • EU calls annexation illegal, Arab nations denounce ‘threat to peace efforts’ • Israel imposes restrictions, deploys police around Al-Aqsa JERUSALEM / ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan denounced the latest Israeli move to convert areas of the West Bank into “state property”, the UN chief called upon Tel Aviv to reverse its new, “unlawful” policy allowing registration of the occupied land in the occupied territory as state property. Israel’s foreign ministry claimed the measure, approved late on Sunday, would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes” but the move drew strong condemnations from across the globe for its violation of international law. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said this new measure was destabilising and unlawful, according to a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Pakistan also denounced the step as a clear violation of international law as well as relevant United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Islamabad urged the international community to reject the decision, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson. It added that the occupying power continued to disregard international law and its provocative actions undermined the prospects for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. “Pakistan calls on the international community to take concrete measures to end Israeli impunity, and ensure respect for international law,” the spokesperson added. ‘Undermine peace efforts’ Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan also criticised the move as illegal. The measure is “aimed at imposing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank” that would undermine peace efforts in the region, Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Jordan’s King Abdullah II said the actions “undermine efforts to restore calm and threaten to exacerbate the conflict,” according to a statement released by the royal court. The European Union called on Israel to reverse the move. “This constitutes a new escalation after recent measures already aimed at extending Israeli control,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said. “We reiterate that annexation is illegal under international law.” The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority called for international intervention to prevent the “de facto beginning of the annexation process and the undermining of the foundations of the Palestinian state”. Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now called the measure a “mega land grab”. Jonathan Mizrachi, the NGO’s co-director, told AFP that the move would attribute new resources for land registration. “There was a lot of ambiguity regarding the land, and Israel decided now to deal with it,” Mizrachi said, adding that the grey area over Area C land ownership was likely to be used against Palestinians. “A lot of land that Palestinians consider theirs, they will find out it’s not theirs under this new registration process,” he said, believing the move would further the Israeli right’s annexation agenda. Changing demography Palestinians see the West Bank as foundational to any future Palestinian state, but many on Israel’s religious right want to take over the land. The latest Israeli initiatives come in the wider context of increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to rights groups. “We are witnessing rapid steps to change permanently the demography of the occupied Palestinian territory, stripping its people of their lands and forcing them to leave,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a recent statement. US President Donald Trump has opposed Israel’s annexation of the West Bank, saying stability in the territory helps keep Israel secure. However, he has held off from directly criticising the new Israeli measures, despite the international outrage. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law. Around three million Palestinians live in the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Al-Aqsa restrictions Israeli police said Monday that they would deploy in force around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramazan, as Palestinian officials accused Israel of imposing restrictions at the compound. Over the course of the month of fasting and prayer, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Islam’s third-holiest site. Arad Braverman, a senior Jerusalem police officer, said forces would be deployed “day and night” across the compound, adding that thousands of police would also be on duty for Friday prayers. Braverman said police had recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who require special permission to enter Jerusalem. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said it had been informed that permits would again be restricted to men over 55. Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026
The Guardian is investigating organizations that have donated to West Bank settlements, with one organization reportedly giving 233,500 euros to a religious school in Hebron, which is central to plans for expanding an illegal settlement.
Israel has slammed Canada for issuing a statement that opposes the expansion of West Bank settlements, which Canada views as undermining peace and stability.
Israel has approved a budget for 34 new settlements in the West Bank, further expanding its occupation, with over 3,200 Palestinians reportedly displaced from their homes this year.
Israel has announced a budget of NIS 1.3 million (approximately $434 million) to establish 34 new settlements in the West Bank, a move described as historic.
Israel's Ministry of Defense is set to approve a budget exceeding NIS 1 billion for the construction and improvement of roads in West Bank settlements.
Israel is reportedly set to approve a significant plan to expand settlements in the West Bank, including allocating $338 million for the establishment of 61 new settlements. This move is expected to draw international criticism and further escalate tensions in the region.
Israel is moving forward with plans to build over 2,000 new housing units in West Bank settlements, a move widely considered illegal under international law. This initiative is seen by some as a continuation of building in the 'Land of Israel'.
Italy, France, the UK, and Germany have jointly urged Israel to cease its expansion of settlements in the West Bank and to end settler violence. The four European nations condemned the settlement policy, emphasizing the need for a halt to such activities.
US and Iranian forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the region. This renewed hostility led to a significant increase in oil prices and caused volatility in global stock markets.
Jordan has issued a strong condemnation of Israel's recent approval for the construction of new settlements in the West Bank.
The US embassy has decided to offer consular services to Israeli settlers in West Bank settlements, a move many consider a violation of international law.
Global criticism mounts as Israel expands West Bank settlements Outposts Jordan Times
Palestinian Christian leaders have stated that US Christian Zionists ignore their experiences and fund West Bank settlements, while Mike Huckabee defended evangelical support for Israel.
Israeli forces have reportedly seized land under Palestinian Authority administration in the occupied West Bank to establish a connection between two illegal Israeli settlements.
Germany has expressed opposition to a proposed EU trade embargo on West Bank settlements, while pro-Palestinian efforts to suspend the EU's association agreement with Israel have so far failed.
Several EU countries, led by Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands, are pushing for a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. EU foreign ministers are discussing the proposal, with some diplomats accusing others of delaying the process.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the role of Israeli police and security forces in supporting and enabling West Bank settler violence. Some argue that settlements serve as Israel's forward defense, while others criticize the forces' actions.
Approximately 140 UK Labour MPs have called on the government to implement a ban on trade with West Bank settlements, citing similar actions by other European nations.
Ireland announced plans to pass legislation by July that would ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This move aims to prohibit trade with territories considered occupied under international law.
A state fund has recorded a €6.7 million return from its investments in companies that are linked to illegal settlements in the West Bank. This financial gain highlights ongoing connections between state funds and controversial enterprises.
Newly approved Israeli settlements in the West Bank are reportedly slated for construction on private Palestinian land, according to a map.
Israel constructed 6,000 housing units in the occupied Palestinian West Bank between December and March, coinciding with an escalation of violence by Israeli settlers in the region.
The United States will provide on-site consular services in two Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank for the first time, a move welcomed by Israel but criticized by the Palestinian Authority as undermining the possibility of an independent state.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- The US will provide on-site passport services this week in a settlement in the West Bank, marking the first time American consular officials have offered such services to settlers in the occupied territory, US officials said Tuesday. Most of the world considers Israel's West Bank settlements illegal under international law relating to military occupations. Israel disputes that the settlements are illegal, and many on the Israeli right advocate annexing the West Bank. Pal