Israel has approved a new illegal settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, despite international law considering all Israeli settlements in the area illegal. The Nahal Heletz settlement project, part of the Gush Etzion bloc of illegal settlements, has been supported by far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who declared that no opposition would stop the development of settlements.
The new 60-hectare settlement will shrink Palestinian land in the Bethlehem area, posing a threat to the last remaining areas for agriculture and picnics. The Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now has condemned the plan, stating that it will encroach on the World Heritage Site of Battir, known for its ancient terraces and irrigation systems.
This project is part of Israel’s larger goal to expand Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. The international community has raised concerns over the impact of Israel’s actions on the cultural and historical heritage of the area.
Despite opposition, Israel has advanced plans for thousands of new homes in the occupied West Bank, signaling a continued commitment to settlement expansion. The Nahal Heletz settlement is just one example of the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians in the region.
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