US and EU Criticize Israel's Continued Occupation of Palestinian Lands in West Bank

The US government and the European Union criticized a new resolution by the Israeli government to seize more Palestinian lands in the West Bank. Elizabeth Trudeau, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated on Monday, November 15, that the advancement of this plan regarding Palestinian private properties raises "serious concerns" in Washington. Trudeau expressed worry that if the resolution becomes law, "dozens of new settlements will be established deep in the West Bank, which is an unprecedented and alarming step that contradicts Israel's previous stance against construction on private Palestinian properties." Trudeau also mentioned that the chief legal advisor to the Israeli government has expressed concerns about this resolution. The European Union also condemned the resolution on Tuesday, November 16, calling it the "destruction of the two-state solution" and urged Israel to revoke it. The Israeli ministerial committee approved on Sunday, November 14, that the settlements and homes established by Israelis on seized Palestinian private properties must continue to exist. This resolution must be approved by the parliament and the Israeli Supreme Court must also endorse it. The proposal for this law was put forward by the right-wing Jewish Home party led by Naftali Bennett. The ministerial committee's resolution was approved due to the fate of the settlement "Amona" and states that this settlement and other points established on Palestinian lands must continue to exist. This is despite the Israeli Supreme Court having issued a clear ruling that the lands on which the "Amona" settlement was established are seized and part of private Palestinian properties. However, the ministerial resolution states that Palestinians whose lands have been taken "must either receive financial compensation or accept another piece of land that Israel offers them." Naftali Bennett is one of the key figures in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. Bennett, who is the Minister of Education, stated one day after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election that Israel has been given the "best opportunity" to rid itself of the idea of forming a Palestinian state and to increase construction. According to Reuters, Bennett has said that Netanyahu must compel the new US government to accept Israel's desires. According to Bennett, Trump's rise to power gives Israel the opportunity to implement its desired changes regarding the Middle East. Palestinians stated that the "anti-adhan resolution ignites a new fire." The Israeli ministerial committee also approved a draft bill on Sunday that prohibits the broadcasting of the adhan from mosque minarets in Jerusalem. If this ministerial resolution becomes law, it will emphasize that the broadcasting of the adhan via loudspeakers is prohibited, although it can be recited within the mosques themselves. Netanyahu stated in the ministerial committee meeting that many Israelis have long complained that their lives have been "ruined" by the sounds of mosque loudspeakers. Sunni Palestinians broadcast the adhan five times a day from mosque loudspeakers, and sermons are also echoed from these mosques in Jerusalem every evening and on Fridays. Netanyahu stated that "in 2016 there are more modern ways to wake Muslims for prayer and call them to the mosque."