Israel authorizes more Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank
Associated Press7 days
Israel Announces 22 New West Bank Settlements
Above: Members of Israeli forces and Palestinians are seen as an Israeli excavator demolishes a Palestinian house in the town of Yatta, south of the West Bank city of Hebron, on May 28, 2025. Image copyright: Mamoun Wazwaz/Contributor/Xinhua via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though Israel's settler movement remains a fringe element of Israeli society, the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank only adds fuel to the fire. Israel explicitly made this decision to further block the establishment of a Palestinian state — something that is necessary to end this terrible conflict. Extremists on both sides need to be sidelined so that peace can be achieved.
Pro-Israel narrative
Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel was the final nail in the coffin for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the enclave has essentially existed as a terrorist-run proto-state run by Hamas. Given the PA's inefficacy, Israel has no partners for peace, and the last 20 years in Gaza prove this. A violent, terrorist-run Palestinian state would be an existential threat to Israel's security, and settlement expansion is a natural reaction to this reality.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though the Israeli and Western media try to portray settlers as a fringe element of Israeli society, the state was founded on the basis of ethnic cleansing and land theft. Israeli leaders on the left and right have continued to approve settlement expansion, and Palestinian land has continued to recede since 1948. Israeli politicians are also increasingly open about Israel's intentions — the incremental destruction of Palestine.