Palestinian FM: Israel exploiting crises to expand settlements

2026-03-18 - 10:39

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin warned Tuesday that Israel is exploiting ongoing regional crises to intensify its illegal settlement activities and cement permanent control over occupied Palestinian land. During a briefing for diplomatic corps accredited to the State of Palestine, she detailed how Israeli authorities are taking advantage of the international community's focus on broader Middle East conflicts to advance annexation through settlement construction and legislative measures. Systematic Violations Shahin stated that these policies systematically undermine the two-state solution and threaten the Palestinian people's fundamental right to self-determination. She described organized daily attacks by illegal Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians and their property, including killings, physical assaults, arson attacks on homes and vehicles, destruction of agricultural land, and seizure of resources—all carried out "under the direct protection of the Israeli army." The minister reported that seven Palestinians have been killed by illegal Israeli settlers since Feb. 28, when the US and Israel launched their ongoing offensive on Iran. According to Palestinian government data, the West Bank death toll since the Gaza war began in October 2023 has reached 42. Holy Sites Under Threat Shahin also pointed to ongoing violations against Islamic holy sites, including the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque since the start of the Iran war and restrictions preventing worshippers from performing prayers during Ramadan. She described these measures as "a clear violation of freedom of worship" and called on the international community to take legal and practical steps to halt the violations and provide protection for Palestinians in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions. Broader Context Since the Gaza war began, attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers in the West Bank have killed 1,133 Palestinians and injured approximately 11,700 others, in addition to the arrest of around 22,000 people, according to official Palestinian figures. The latest escalation comes amid wider regional turmoil following the Feb. 28 US-Israeli joint offensive on Iran, which has killed some 1,300 people including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering Iranian retaliatory strikes across the region.