Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Jewish settlements in the West Bank do not constitute an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians. The expansion of settlements in the West Bank remains one of the most contentious issues between Israel, the Palestinians, and the international community for decades. Israel continues to expand settlement construction despite repeated calls from allies, including the United States, to cease such activity. Most countries consider this construction illegal under international law, and Palestinians argue that the expansion of Jewish settlements on occupied land undermines their efforts to establish a viable state.
In an interview with "Sky News" broadcast today, Netanyahu stated that it is "not correct" to claim that settlements are an obstacle to peace, adding that the recent return of some Israeli settlers to a previously evacuated settlement does not contradict any commitments his country has made to the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. Netanyahu mentioned that establishing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia could "change history." Regarding Iran, he said that diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear capabilities can only succeed when paired with a credible military threat, and that Israel will do "whatever we need to defend ourselves."
