Israel announces West Bank settlement that rights groups say could imperil Palestinian state

Israel’s far-right finance minister has announced a contentious new settlement construction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which Palestinians and rights groups worry will scuttle plans for a future Palestinian state by effectively cutting the West Bank into two separate parts
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks to journalists during a press conference about new settlement construction in the Israel-occupied West Bank near Maale Adumim, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks to journalists during a press conference about new settlement construction in the Israel-occupied West Bank near Maale Adumim, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
news
Aug 14, 2025
X

MAALE ADUMIM, Israel (AP) — Israel’s far-right finance minister announced a contentious new settlement construction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Thursday which Palestinians and rights groups worry will scuttle plans for a future Palestinian state by effectively cutting the West Bank into two separate parts.

The announcement comes as many countries said they would recognize a Palestinian state in September.

“This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state, because there is nothing to recognize and no one to recognize,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. “Anyone in the world who tries today to recognize a Palestinian state – will receive an answer from us on the ground,” he said.

In Other News
1
7 arrested for OVI following Friday night’s checkpoint in Fairfield
2
Hamilton considers tax incentive for Shuler-Benninghofen redevelopment
3
Which one will come down first? Former Tri-County Mall and Forest Fair...
4
Construction underway on new building in Fairfield for fire protection...
5
Jungle Jim’s adds TikTok station, cotton candy making machine as iconic...