JERUSALEM — Israeli anti-settler group Peace Now on Thursday criticized the establishment of a new settlement announced by the Gush Etzion Regional Council in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Yaron Rosental, head of the Gush Etzion council, announced earlier in the day the creation of a “new locality” near Bethlehem. Tonight, we established a new locality at Shdema, near Bethlehem,” Rosental said in a video released by his office. A council spokesperson confirmed to AFP that three mobile homes have been placed in the area and that families are expected to move in over the weekend.
In a statement, Peace Now condemned the move, saying the new outpost aims to “choke the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour and block its development.” The organization accused the settlers of exploiting public funds to create illegal outposts that undermine the chances of achieving peace and a two-state solution.
The Gush Etzion area has witnessed rising tensions in recent days, marked by violent clashes between settlers and Palestinian residents. The escalation comes shortly after Israeli authorities dismantled another settler outpost deemed illegal even under Israeli law.
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