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Israel's top security body has formally approved the recognition of 19 fresh settlements in the contested Palestinian territories, representing a ongoing push for territorial growth.

Far-right Treasury Chief Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a settlement and put forward the measure in concert with Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated that the move was about blocking the formation of a Palestinian state.

It is important to note that Jewish communities in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal.

The decision has elicited criticism from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said that Israel's "relentless" settlement expansion heightens tensions, curtails Palestinians' access to land, and undermines the prospects of a sovereign Palestinian state.

Rising Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout

Violence in the region has escalated since the war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023, adding to apprehensions that settlement expansion could solidify the Israeli presence and damage the chance for a peaceful resolution based on two states.

The concept of two states involves the establishment of a Palestinian state in the Palestinian territories, with Jerusalem's eastern sector as its capital, broadly along the borders that were in place before the 1967 Six-Day Middle East war.

Since taking office in late 2022, the current government in Jerusalem has ramped up the authorization of fresh communities and started the legalisation process for previously illegal outposts, classifying them as "suburbs" of established communities.

Ongoing Expansion

The most recent decision pushes the cumulative figure of communities authorized over the preceding 36 months to 69, according to Smotrich.

These approvals come only a few days after the United Nations stated that construction in settlements had attained its peak since the year 2017.

The latest batch of authorizations encompasses the re-establishment of two settlements — Ganim and Kadim — which were removed nearly 20 years ago.

Earlier this year, the Israeli government approved 22 new communities in the occupied West Bank - what was the biggest wave of approvals in decades.

Furthermore, the government gave the go-ahead for plans last summer to erect in excess of 3,000 homes in the controversial E1 project between the capital and the Maale Adumim community, a project that had been frozen for decades amid intense international objection.

Regarding that plan, the Finance Minister stated it would "bury the notion of a Palestinian state."

Demographic Facts and Global Response

Approximately seven hundred thousand settlers live in about 160 settlements in the occupied territories, as per data from the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now. This is land that Palestinians seek for a future sovereign nation.

This ongoing construction has provoked Arab states who have repeatedly contended it erodes prospects for a peaceful two-state outcome.

It has also raised concerns about the eventual annexing of the disputed territories.

Ex- American President Donald Trump had previously cautioned the Israeli leadership about this step, telling a publication that the country would lose all its support from the US if it proceeded.

In a policy change, the United Kingdom - along with other nations including Australia and Canada - recognised a State of Palestine, a significant although largely symbolic adjustment in official stance.

The Israeli government was against the move, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu saying that a Palestinian state "is not going to occur."