West Asia in turmoil as Israel approves new settlements in West Bank

Informing the citizens and in a way also to the global community, Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his decision that he, under the special powers bestowed upon him by the Constitution of Israel, approved the new settlements.

New Delhi, Feb 14: In what could be termed as the 'tough act' from the newly re-elected Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, the government has approved nine Jewish settler outposts in the West Bank. The decision has irked the Arab and Islamic nations that are up in arms again against Israel. Nearly a dozen leaders from the Islamic nations have issued warning to Israel on it.

Nonetheless, informing the citizens and in a way also to the global community, Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his decision that he under the special powers bestowed upon him by the Constitution of Israel approved the new settlement. Earlier, the Islamic nations ganged up at Cairo in Egypt to condemn Israel over the recent violence.

The Cairo gathering that was hosted by the Arab League received participation from the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Jordan King Abdullah II. It obviously had Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Retrospective authorisation for settlements

The Israeli Prime Minister had to show he is tough on terrorism, especially after the several recent attacks on civilians where nearly a dozen innocent Jews have been killed. The approval for constructing nine new settlements have also been approved by the two pro-settler ministers. In fact, their support to Netanyahu is based on acts like these.

A lot of noise is expected from the Arab and Muslim world as they consider that the areas where the new settlements are to be built belong to Palestine. The region has been under Israel's control for more than five decades now. Over all these years, Israeli governments have given approval for 132 settlements.

The nine settlements announced by Netanyahu are the first ones after the formation of the new government. Palestinian President Abbas said his administration would approach the United Nations and its agencies and demand a resolution to protect the two-state solution to the conflict.

Will go to international courts: Abbas

Well supported by the Islamic nations, the Palestinian leader has opposed the recent act from Israel and promised to take the issue to International Courts. Ironically, none of the gathered leaders talked about the recent terrorist attacks by the Palestinian terrorists where innocent Jews including children were killed in Israel.

Instead, the gathering at Cairo came up with a final statement that talked about Israeli's systemic policy of distorting and changing Jerusalem's Arab and Islamic culture and identity.