In a significant shift, the United States has declared that new Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal, marking a departure from the stance taken by the previous administration under President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed disappointment over the announcement of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding plans to construct over 3,300 new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

During a news conference in Buenos Aires, Blinken emphasized that both Democratic and Republican administrations have long held the belief that new settlements hinder the prospects of lasting peace and violate international law. This stance directly contradicts the previous Pompeo Doctrine, which deemed Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem as legal.

Furthermore, Germany has joined the condemnation, labeling the new settlement plans as a violation of international law. The announcement of the new settlements was made in response to a recent "terrorist" attack near a checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, resulting in one Israeli fatality and multiple injuries.

Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now highlighted that Israel's 2024 budget shows a substantial increase in funds going towards settlements, raising concerns about the continued expansion of these settlements on Palestinian land. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh expressed strong disapproval, stating that the move impedes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The escalation of settler activities comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing violence and raids in the occupied territories, notably in the Gaza Strip, where over 29,500 Palestinians, including many children and women, have lost their lives in Israeli attacks since the beginning of the war. Despite international criticism, Israel has persisted in advancing its settlement agenda, prompting calls for increased pressure to halt or reverse this expansion.