A New Settlement Rises in the West Bank

In the heart of the West Bank, a new Israeli settlement named Yatziv has emerged, marking a significant victory for the settler movement. This transformation from a small outpost to a fully recognized settlement happened astonishingly fast, within just a month. The area, overlooking the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour, has been a focal point for settlers for years. They have long resisted plans to build a children's hospital there, holding onto the belief that the land would one day be theirs. The inauguration of Yatziv was a celebratory event, filled with music, construction noise, and a strong military presence. Orthodox Jewish women, dressed in colorful head coverings and carrying babies, shared platters of fresh vegetables. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent settler leader, declared at the ceremony, \We are standing stable here in Israel. We're going to be here forever. We will never establish a Palestinian state here. \ Smotrich, who has been instrumental in Israeli settlement policy for the past three years, has overseen a rapid expansion of settlements. This aggressive construction spree has raised concerns among Palestinians, who feel increasingly hemmed in and unable to establish an independent state. The international community largely considers these settlements illegal, but their impact on the ground is undeniable.The settlers' long-standing interest in this hilltop was driven by its strategic location and historical significance. The recent stabbing of an Israeli near the junction provided the impetus for the settlers to establish the outpost. With the election of Israel's far-right government and the return of Trump to office, conditions were ripe for the settlers to make their move. Yaron Rosenthal, the local settlement council chair, admitted they saw an opportunity but did not expect things to move so quickly. The land now occupied by Yatziv was originally owned by Palestinians from Beit Sahour. Mayor Elias Isseid expressed his concerns about further land loss, stating, \These lands have been owned by families from Beit Sahour since ancient times. \ The new settlement poses a significant threat to the local Palestinian community, with a bypass road and a new yellow gate leading up to Yatziv. The once-planned peace park now stands empty, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the shifting political landscape.