In response to European countries' recognition of Palestine, Israeli moves to "intensify" settlement activity

Hebrew media revealed today, Monday, that the two Knesset members; Extremist MP Limor Son Har Melech and extremist MP Zvi Sukkot will form a lobby for a return to settlement in the Gaza Strip, indicating that it will be announced on Tuesday.

In this context, the Israeli Mini Ministerial Council for Security and Political Affairs (the cabinet) discussed, on Sunday evening, taking punitive steps against the Palestinian Authority, including strengthening settlements. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “The cabinet discussed steps to strengthen settlements in Judea and Samaria.” .

Netanyahu's office claimed that the proposed measures "come in response to some countries' unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state after last October 7," adding that "a series of steps to be taken against the Palestinian Authority as a result of its activities against Israel were also discussed in international forums."

Netanyahu's office added: "But the Defense Minister (Gallant) and the government's legal advisor (Gali Meara) requested a time limit to submit their comments on some of the proposed steps," and "the Prime Minister instructed that all proposals be put to a vote during the next cabinet session," without specifying a date for it, according to The statement did not specify the rest of the proposals presented.

Last May, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel must agree to build 10,000 settlements in the West Bank, establish a new settlement for every country that recognizes the Palestinian state, and cancel travel permits for Palestinian Authority officials.

In recent weeks, Norway, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia recognized a Palestinian state, a move that was condemned by Israel, which said it "rewards terrorism and supports Hamas."

Since October 7, Israel has been waging a war on Gaza that has left more than 122,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens, most of them children.

Israel continues its war, ignoring two UN Security Council resolutions to end it immediately, and orders from the International Court of Justice to end the invasion of Rafah (south), and to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the miserable humanitarian situation in the Strip.