New Israeli settlements will strengthen the conditions for future unrest in the West Bank, which could finally push the United States to turn its words into action and reshape its relationship with Israel. On Oct. 28, the Israeli government advanced plans to build 3,130 new homes across the occupied West Bank, marking the first such move since Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office in June. The U.S. State Department quickly criticized the announcement, with spokesman Ned Price saying Washington “strongly” opposed the expansion of Israeli settlements. The left-wing members of Bennett’s ruling coalition also condemned the move, with leftist party Meretz calling it a “slap in the face” of the anti-settlement supporters who helped bring his government to power. ...
