The Biden administration delivered a significant policy shift on Friday, rebuking Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank and asserting that such actions violate international law. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking during a news conference in Buenos Aires, expressed disappointment over Israel’s announcement of plans to construct more than 3,300 new homes in settlements within the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Blinken emphasized that these actions are inconsistent with international law and reiterated the administration’s firm opposition to settlement expansion, which it views as detrimental to Israel’s security rather than enhancing it. This stance marks a departure from the Trump administration’s position, which had previously stated that settlements did not contravene international law.
The decision by Israel to proceed with the construction of new settlements came in the wake of a deadly attack near the Maale Adumim settlement, where three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on passing cars, resulting in the death of one Israeli and injuries to five others. Following this incident, Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent figure on the far-right, disclosed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were involved in the discussions regarding the settlement expansion. The plan includes the approval processes for the construction of 300 new homes in the Kedar settlement, 2,350 in Maale Adumim, and advancing the construction of nearly 700 homes in Efrat.
Smotrich justified the decision by linking it to the security concerns stemming from the attack, asserting that any harm inflicted on Israel would result in an escalation of settlement construction and an expansion of Israeli control over the region. While the move was applauded by some within Israel’s political spectrum, it drew condemnation from the Biden administration and elicited concern from advocates of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The White House, through its national security spokesperson John Kirby, reiterated its longstanding position on the issue, emphasizing the commitment to a two-state solution and denouncing the inconsistency of settlements with international law. Kirby addressed questions regarding the timing of the policy change, stating that the administration deemed it necessary to reaffirm its stance given the current context and to underscore the imperative of adhering to international legal norms.
The Biden administration’s rebuke of Israel’s settlement expansion underscores the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights the divergent approaches taken by successive U.S. administrations. While Israel views the settlements as integral to its security and national identity, the international community, including the United States under the Biden administration, considers them illegal under international law and a significant impediment to achieving a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
The issue of settlements has long been a contentious and divisive issue, with Israel asserting its right to build and expand communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. The Palestinians, backed by much of the international community, argue that the settlements undermine the prospects for a viable Palestinian state and violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of civilian populations into occupied territory.
The Biden administration’s stance on settlements reflects a broader commitment to promoting stability and security in the Middle East while seeking to advance the prospects for a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By reaffirming the illegality of settlements and expressing disappointment over Israel’s expansion plans, the administration aims to signal its commitment to upholding international law and fostering conditions conducive to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.