Netanyahu says 'Israel' to expand settlements in West Bank despite global backlash

• Benjamin Netanyahu says ‘Israel’ will continue establishing and legalizing settlements in the occupied West Bank despite growing international opposition.
• His government has accelerated settlement expansion as settler violence against Palestinians continues to rise.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank despite mounting international pressure, according to his office.

Netanyahu, who faces elections in October, heads one of the most right-wing governments in ‘Israel’s’ history. His government has rapidly advanced plans to build and expand settlements across the occupied territory.

“We cannot ignore the numbers: 104 communities that we established and legalised together, and 160 farms, with more to come,” Netanyahu said.

Settlement outposts are widely considered illegal under international law. Some have also operated without formal authorization under ‘Israeli’ law, although the government has increasingly moved to legalize them.

The expansion has drawn growing international condemnation, particularly as settler violence against Palestinians has intensified across the West Bank.

Last week, several European leaders condemned a major settlement project after ‘Israeli’ authorities opened bidding for more than 1,200 housing units in the occupied territory.

Netanyahu’s latest remarks signal that his government intends to press ahead with settlement expansion despite the mounting diplomatic backlash.