Under the Cover of War on Gaza

Budgets Announced Worth Millions of Shekels for Settler Colonial Construction of Expansion

November 27, 2023: Following 48 days of brutal bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which reached a death toll of 20,000 (two-thirds of whom were women and children), amid the temporary truce which entered its fourth and final day, and surrounding international efforts anticipated extend it, the Israeli Minister of Finance (Bezalel Smotrich) announced approximately one billion shekels in budgets for the expansion of the colonial-settlement enterprise.  Such will include 200 million shekels towards expanding settlements in the West Bank and 35 million shekels towards establishing military trainings facilities inside settlement and random outposts. Other budgets will also be geared towards preventing Palestinian construction in areas classified as C, attracting settler immigration to settlements in so-called “mixed cities” as Lod, Ramla, and Akka, and establishing training centers and camps in settlement outposts.

This announcement comes at a time when some European countries and the United States of America are still examining post-war options and a political path that does not rule out a return to the option of a Two-State Solution. The announcement by the Minister of Finance reflects Israel’s vision not only for the future of the Gaza Strip, but for the West Bank, including Jerusalem. Calls for settlers to immigrate to Akka, Lod, and Ramla and change their demographic situation, are a clear expression of the racist ideology adopted by the current government and their intent to strengthen the apartheid system put in place against Palestinians wherever they reside.  Such policies fuels hatred and violence and signal that the genocide which Palestinians are being subjected to in the Gaza Strip may expand to include all occupied territoriy.

It is the responsibility of the international community to halt and restrain the apartheid government and uphold their responsibilities in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The Security Council must intervene, as the practices carried out by this government are a clear illustration of what could constitute threats to international peace and security. Otherwise, the silence of the international community is a provision of political cover for the occupation, stepping up the situation from accomplices to the category of accomplices in war crimes.