Israeli Minister Backs West Bank Claim, Nixes Palestine Plan

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel will continue building a Jewish state in the occupied West Bank. His statement directly challenges French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently called for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Katz made the declaration during a visit to Sa-Nur, a settlement in the northern West Bank that was once considered illegal but has now been officially approved by the Israeli government.

Katz said Israel will move forward on the ground while other nations only make declarations on paper. His remarks come amid increasing global pressure to halt settlement expansion and recognize Palestinian statehood.

According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli Security Cabinet has approved 22 new settlements in the West Bank. Many of these were formerly unauthorized outposts and agricultural sites. The peace group Peace Now confirmed that 12 of them were previously unrecognized but are now approved by the government.

Katz said the decision to approve new settlements was a response to threats from militant groups and a signal to international leaders, including Macron. He added that Israel will not yield to international threats or sanctions.

President Macron, speaking during a visit to Singapore, said recognizing a Palestinian state is both a political and moral responsibility. He also called on European countries to take a stronger stance against Israel if it does not respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected Macron’s remarks and accused him of siding with enemies of Israel. Tensions between Israel and some European countries have grown in recent weeks due to increased military operations and settlement activity.

Several European governments reacted strongly to the new settlement approvals. Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry said the settlements are illegal under international law and are a serious obstacle to peace. Norway’s Foreign Minister called the decision unacceptable and said the occupation must end based on international legal rulings.

Spain also condemned the decision, warning that the settlements undermine the two-state solution. Madrid expressed deep concern over the increased military raids in refugee camps and the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Finland’s Foreign Minister said the move is a deliberate attempt to block peace efforts and goes against global initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict.

On May 29, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian house in the village of al-Mugayyir, near Ramallah, using heavy machinery and military vehicles. Two days earlier, soldiers raided exchange offices in Ramallah and Nablus, accusing the companies of links to terrorist groups. These actions have increased tensions across the West Bank.