West Bank & Jerusalem
Israeli defence minister praises settlers for occupying Palestinian land
Image credit: Al Jazeera English
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Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz praised radical Hilltop Youth settlers for maintaining control of Palestinian territory, Al Jazeera English reported. Katz described the settlers as "holding onto" land in remarks that amount to official endorsement of the youth movement's activities in the occupied West Bank.
The Hilltop Youth are known for establishing unauthorized outposts on hilltops across Palestinian areas and engaging in confrontations with Palestinian residents. Their settlements operate outside the framework of official Israeli policy, though they receive varying degrees of tacit support from government officials and military authorities.
Katz's public praise for the group reflects ongoing tensions over settlement expansion in territories that Palestinians claim for a future state. The Defence Minister's comments come as Israel continues to face international pressure over its settlement policies in the West Bank.
