Israel Approves Controversial Plan to Expand Settlements in Occupied Golan Heights
In a move that has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community, the Israeli government has approved a plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. The plan, which was unanimously approved by the Israeli cabinet, aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights ¹.
According to a statement released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, the plan is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria." The statement also noted that the plan includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure ¹.
Netanyahu has been a vocal supporter of expanding Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 war. Despite international condemnation, Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, a move that was widely rejected by the international community ¹.
The approval of the plan has sparked outrage from regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. These countries have condemned the Israeli government's decision, citing its illegality under international law and its potential to exacerbate tensions in the region ¹.
- _Saudi Arabia:_ The Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the Israeli government's decision, calling it a "continuation of efforts to sabotage Syria's chances of restoring its security and stability" ¹.
- _United Arab Emirates:_ The UAE warned that the Israeli actions could exacerbate tensions in the region, and stressed that expanding Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights poses a direct threat to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Syria ¹.
- _Qatar:_ Qatar's Foreign Ministry called the decision "a new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories and a blatant violation of international law" ¹.
The international community has long considered the Golan Heights to be occupied Syrian territory, and has repeatedly called on Israel to withdraw its forces and settlements from the area. The approval of the plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights is seen as a clear violation of international law and a further escalation of tensions in the region ¹.
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