Israel's Settlement Expansion: A Calculated Gamble The latest move by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to accelerate construction of new settlements in the occupied West Bank has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community.
The plan, which involves building 1,200 new housing units, appears on its surface to be a brazen attempt to consolidate power and influence the outcome of upcoming elections.
From a strategic perspective, this move is a calculated gamble. Netanyahu's government aims to tighten its grip on the West Bank by limiting possibilities for a contiguous Palestinian state.