Israel is expanding its illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank while it wages its war on Gaza.
Israel says it plans to build 22 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank – the largest number approved to be built at one time.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the settlements are intended to block the creation of a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues its expanded offensive, destroying homes, roads and facilities, such as waterways and hospitals, essentially making areas of the occupied West Bank uninhabitable.
And settler violence against civilians, including destroying crops and uprooting trees, is at an all-time high, according to the UN.
Europe has hit back against the move to build more illegal settlements by threatening sanctions. But can they have a real impact?
What does this mean for millions of Palestinians? And is a Palestinian state now becoming nearly impossible?
Presenter: James Bays
Guests:
Xavier Abu Eid – Political analyst and a former adviser to the PLO’s negotiation team
Ori Goldberg- an Israeli author, academic, and political commentator
Salman Shaikh – CEO of The Shaikh Group, an organisation working on diplomacy and mediation in the Middle East
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