🔶 Netanyahu’s order to dismantle several settlements in the West Bank

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has apparently issued an order to dismantle several outposts of settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, said: “As far as I know, Netanyahu has issued an order to evacuate some settlements.” Smotrich, who calls for annexing the entire West Bank to Israel, stressed that he does not agree with this action.

Several Israeli and international media have reported on Netanyahu’s order. According to the Israeli news website WallaNett, this order was likely issued under pressure from the United States.

Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, visited the West Bank last Saturday to express support for Palestinians with U.S. citizenship who have been victims of attacks by settlers.

Without naming Israel, Huckabee said: “Our message is clear and plain: crime is crime and terror is terror.” He added: “Those who do such things should expect serious consequences.”

While all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered violations of international law, some of them—built without the approval of the Israeli government—are also considered illegal by Israel.

In recent years, the Israeli government has strongly pursued the construction and expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

Many settlements, which initially consisted only of a few residential mobile homes or temporary structures, violate Israeli law as well, but in the recent period, many of them have received legal approval after being built.

Germany, France, the UK, and Italy, in August, asked the Israeli government to halt a settlement project that includes more than 1,200 housing units.

The so-called E1 project in the east of Jerusalem was approved last year. Critics warn that this project could undermine territorial contiguity between the north and south of the West Bank and further weaken the prospects for the formation of a Palestinian state.

Since the end of the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has held the West Bank under occupation. Around three million Palestinians and more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in this area.

Several far-right ministers who openly support annexing the West Bank to Israel are part of Netanyahu’s government. With parliamentary elections in Israel on October 27 approaching, the government is pushing forward additional construction plans.