Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

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Middle East Conflict

Israel's finance minister has approved a plan for new settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a move that could further complicate efforts toward a two-state solution. The proposed settlement would create around 3,400 new homes and geographically separate East Jerusalem, which Palestinians envision as the capital of a future state, from other parts of the West Bank.

The settlement plan has been criticized by international law groups and Israeli NGOs such as Peace Now and B'Tselem, who argue it violates international law and escalates tensions. Reports indicate a rise in attacks on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, with over 750 incidents recorded this year. The Israeli government, which includes members supportive of the settler movement, has not commented directly on the violence but is seen as backing the settlement expansion.

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

All right, we turn now to the situation in the Middle East where a controversial settlement plan is threatening to complicate any plans for a two-state solution. Israel's far-right finance minister has approved new settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but it's unclear if this move will actually go through. CBS News Middle East reporter Courtney Keeley can explain the significance for us. She joins us now from our D.C. bureau. Good morning, Courtney. So, how might this settlement effort by Israel's finance minister complicate the bigger, already complicated picture? Well, good morning, Errol. And it complicates things geographically. It would cut off like an artery road between the contested East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the future capital of their state, and it would then cut off them from their West Bank homes. So, it's an intentional cleaving out of land and opening it up for about 3,400 homes. And these are illegal settlements not recognized by international law. Smotras said that this is a way to bury the Palestinian state. Now, I have lived there, and I have covered this for 25 years. So, you do. You drive on these roads, and there are checkpoints, and the Palestinians are hemmed in, and then you turn a corner and you can see a settlement. There are over 700,000 settlers that have moved to the West Bank since 1967. But since 2022, the settler movement and the ability to build has accelerated under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And, Courtney, tell us more about that, because more international attention has been paid to Gaza and the dire need for food there. But you've painted a bit of the picture in the West Bank. What has been happening there in the meantime that we may not have been as aware about? Attacks. Attacks on Palestinians, on small communities, and there's really no recourse. Palestinians are under military law in the West Bank. Settlers are under civilian. So, these attacks, there have been an accelerated amount of attacks since the beginning of the year. We're looking at 750 that have been recorded, 130 attacks per month on average. And this is how settlers go in. They burn cars. They're arsonists. They try to drive the Palestinians off their land and then move in. Now, this is something that's happened in the past, but not on this accelerated pace, not on this level of attacks, this level of violence, this level of arson. And it is really because also Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is really partly made up of Israeli settlers. Smotrich is an Israeli settler. And, lastly, Peace Now, which has been very active for years, it's an Israeli NGO, said that we are standing at the edge of an abyss, and the Israeli government is driving us forward at top speed. So, the Israeli NGO Peace Now, B'Tselem, condemning this international law, condemning this, really no comment from President Trump or Netanyahu, although it's said that they're OK with this, they approve this, maybe not the violence, but the settlements. Important for viewers to understand what's happening, not just in Gaza, but the West Bank as well. Courtney, we appreciate your insight. Thank you.

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Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

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