Official statements from the Israeli government, news reports from reputable sources

Israel Approves Illegal Settlement in Beit Jala on UNESCO Site

Aug 16, 2024, 05:50 AM

Israel has approved a new illegal settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. The decision, announced by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, involves building a settlement in Jabal al-Makhrur in the town of Beit Jala. The settlers and the army have begun expelling citizens and declaring it a closed military zone. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to expand Israel's presence in the West Bank and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The expansion has included land grabs, settlement construction, and the demolition of Palestinian communities, marking significant territorial changes in the region. Smotrich has openly stated his mission to thwart the creation of a Palestinian state. The expansion efforts have also targeted Christian communities, with reports of attempts to eliminate Christian presence in the Holy Land.