Israel Approves 19 New West Bank Settlements, Defying International Consensus

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit has condemned Israel's decision to authorize 19 new settlements in the West Bank. In a statement on Monday, Aboul Gheit called the move a direct challenge to global opinion. He said it violates international law. The statement was posted on the social media platform X. It responded to the Israeli government's recent approval of the settlement expansions. The West Bank is Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. Most world powers consider Israeli settlements there to be illegal. This new approval signals a significant expansion of Israeli construction in the area. The Arab League secretary-general warned it undermines the possibility of a future Palestinian state.