Divided Horizons: Israeli Settlements in Focus Amid Conflict

The issue of Israeli settlement building has resurfaced amid renewed conflict, following an initiative by Israel's far-right finance minister to partition the West Bank and sever it from East Jerusalem. These settlements, residing on land seized in the 1967 conflict, are central to Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

Built for Jewish Israelis, these settlements are situated on territory also inhabited by Palestinians aspiring for an independent state, a goal made increasingly difficult by current settlement expansion. The coalition government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has augmented support for settlement activities, intensifying since the onset of the Gaza conflict post-October 2023.

The international community largely considers the settlements illegal, with multiple U.N. resolutions calling for a cessation. Israel, citing historical ties, views these settlements as pivotal for its security, despite global opposition. The viability of the two-state solution is increasingly jeopardized as settlements fragment Palestinian lands.

(With inputs from agencies.)