Israel Moves Forward with Settlement Plans Amid Growing Tensions

Israeli officials are set to progress with plans for constructing 9,000 new housing units within an illegal settlement at the site of the defunct Qalandiya airport in occupied East Jerusalem, signaling yet another effort to fragment Palestinian territories and impede the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state.

New Settlement Plans in East Jerusalem

The proposed Atarot neighborhood, located in northern East Jerusalem, is reminiscent of previous projects aimed at undermining Palestinian statehood. This settlement plan is slated for discussion and potential approval by the District Planning and Building Committee, as reported by the Israeli advocacy group Peace Now.

According to the organization, these new housing developments are intended for an already densely populated Palestinian urban landscape that stretches from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to Kafr Aqab in the north, and encompassing the Qalandiya refugee camp, ar-Ram, Beit Hanina, and Bir Nabala.

This initiative aims to create an Israeli enclave in proximity to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, which could significantly disrupt any chance of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.

Peace Now has expressed severe concerns, labeling the plan as destructive: “If executed, this would eliminate any opportunity for East Jerusalem to connect with surrounding Palestinian areas, effectively obstructing the formation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.”

Translation: The current administration is working to establish a new ultra-Orthodox mega-settlement north of Jerusalem, significantly undermining future Palestinian statehood by planning for 9,000 housing units to be built in a contested region. Isn’t this a cause for concern?

The organization criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government for seizing every opportunity to diminish prospects for a peaceful resolution. They highlighted the pressing need to move beyond ineffective strategies that have only led to security disasters.

The History and Legal Status of the Plan

The initiative’s origins can be traced back to early 2020 when Israel’s Housing Ministry submitted it for municipal approval. Although it cleared bureaucratic hurdles swiftly, it encountered pushback from the Environmental Protection and Health ministries, with prior administrations, such as that of President Obama, also voicing opposition.

Before the plan can legally proceed toward construction, it will require further governmental review and approval. Most of the area designated for this project is labeled as “state land” by Israeli authorities, which allows them to bypass agreements with Palestinian landowners.

In addition to the Atarot settlement plans, Israel is rapidly advancing a series of projects aimed at strengthening illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land. This trend coincides with a broader military operation in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties.

Ongoing Violence and Demolitions in the West Bank

Israeli forces have continued their operations in the occupied West Bank, carrying out raids and enabling violent settlers to attack Palestinian properties while also issuing demolition orders against Palestinian homes.

Most recently, demolitions began in Biddu, a town northwest of East Jerusalem, based on the assertion that the Palestinian structures did not possess the necessary permits.

In another incident, settlers in the central West Bank engaged in violence backed by the military, setting fire to Palestinian vehicles and defacing property with racist slogans in Ein Yabrud.

Recent reports indicate that several Palestinians have been arrested during military raids across various parts of the West Bank, particularly in Nablus, as authorities prepare to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp.