Israel's right-wing government recently greenlit the construction of thousands of new homes in West Bank settlements, a move that has further complicated the already tense relationship with the United States. This decision disregards increasing US disapproval of Israeli settlement activity and heightens tensions with Palestinians amidst escalating violence in the occupied territories.

Israeli news sources report that the Defense Ministry planning committee, responsible for overseeing settlement construction, has endorsed over 5,000 new housing units. These units are in various planning phases, and the timeline for construction commencement remains unclear. The international community and Palestinians view settlement construction as illegal and a barrier to peace. Over 700,000 Israelis currently reside in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories seized by Israel in 1967 and claimed by Palestinians for a future state.

Palestinian officials condemned the move as an act of aggression and open war against the Palestinian people, reiterating that all settlements in the occupied territories are illegal and illegitimate. Israel's current government, dominated by religious and ultranationalist figures with strong ties to the settlement movement, has prioritized settlement expansion. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent settler leader, has been given authority over settlement policy and pledged to double the settler population in the West Bank.

The Biden administration has become increasingly vocal in its criticism, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken labeling settlements as obstacles to peace. While critical, the US has refrained from significant action against Israel. However, the White House has yet to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu for a visit, a customary practice after Israeli elections. Additionally, the US has reinstated a policy of withholding funds for Israeli science and technology research projects in the West Bank, a policy reversed by the previous Trump administration.

Despite the friction, Israeli officials downplayed the disagreements with the US, emphasizing the enduring alliance and their ability to manage differences. However, other members of the governing coalition accused the Biden administration of an excessive focus on the Israeli government. Netanyahu's administration, considered the most right-wing in Israel's history, has prioritized settlement expansion, with key members advocating for increased construction to solidify Israeli control over the territory. This push comes in response to ongoing violence with Palestinians.

Increased military activity in the West Bank followed a series of Palestinian attacks in early 2022. The resulting conflict has claimed the lives of numerous Palestinians and Israelis, with both sides experiencing casualties. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War. Palestinians claim these territories for a future state, while Israel asserts that the West Bank's status should be resolved through negotiations. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, and Hamas subsequently took control.