May 29 (UPI) -- Israel unveiled plans Thursday for the most significant expansion of its presence in the occupied West Bank in years after approving 22 new Jewish settlements.
The scheme gives legal recognition to the 22 settlements, which already exist but are unofficial, said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Katz said the step would "prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel," but the Palestinian Authority and at least one anti-war group in Israel condemned the move.
Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh called the Israeli government's approval of the new settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, a "dangerous escalation" that was an affront to international legitimacy and international law, including at least one U.N. Security Council Resolution.
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