Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to execute the “Hail Mary” decision to legalize dozens of illegal settler sites in the West Bank a day before Biden took office. He failed.
Why it’s important: The mass legalization of outposts would have been a highly provocative step, expanding Israeli control over West Bank lands and further reducing the chances of a future peace deal with the Palestinians.
Background: Trump drastically changed U.S. policy on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, giving them new legitimacy and giving Israel a free hand when it comes to settlement activity.
- The Biden administration is expected to return to the traditional U.S. policy of treating settlements as illegitimate and opposing new constructions.
Driving the news: In recent weeks, Netanyahu has tried to launch several liquidation plans before Biden takes office, knowing it will be more difficult or even impossible afterwards.
- Earlier this week, Netanyahu pressured Defense Minister Benny Gantz to agree to pass a cabinet-level decision to legalize five outposts and lay the groundwork to legalize 40 more.
- The advanced sites in question are found deep in the West Bank. Some are in isolated areas to try to avoid Palestinian territorial contiguity.
- The settlers’ lobby pressured Netanyahu in recent weeks to legalize the outposts and also put pressure on his cabinet ministers.
Netanyahu resisted the pressure for a while, but he reversed course as part of his efforts to secure the support of the settlers’ lobby before the March elections.
- The Israeli Ministry of Justice opposed this decision because Netanyahu’s interim government is not allowed to make dramatic decisions before the election.
- The Foreign Ministry also opposed it, arguing that the move would be considered a provocative and challenging move 24 hours before Biden took office and created tensions with the new US administration.
- Until an hour before Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu continued to pressure Gantz to come to an agreement. Gantz refused and prevented what he called an “irresponsible” move.
It is necessary to emphasize: Last week, the Israeli government approved plans for 800 new housing units in West Bank settlements, half in isolated settlements on the West Bank.
- On Tuesday evening, the Israeli land authority began marketing land for the construction of 2,600 new homes in West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements.
What to see: In the coming days, the Biden administration will have to publicly articulate its new policy on Israeli settlements. This could renew tensions with the Israeli government.