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Israel’s ‘reckless’ plan to expand settlements in the West Bank explained

Related: IDF destroys West Bank homes of people it claims were involved in Israel attacks
  • Pressure is mounting on Israel to abandon plans to expand settlements in the West Bank ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.
  • Netanyahu has authorised measures that would simplify land purchases for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, granting Israel increased authority in an area Palestinians consider central to a future state.
  • Eight US Democratic senators urged Donald Trump to oppose these settlements, arguing they contradict longstanding US policy and risk making a two-state solution unattainable.
  • Donald Trump has stated his opposition to annexation, with a White House official reiterating that a stable West Bank is crucial for Israel's security and regional peace.
  • The UK has "strongly condemned" Israel's decision, calling for its immediate reversal, stating that unilateral changes to Palestine's make-up are unacceptable and violate international law.
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