Gaza: The Jerusalem Governorate has warned of the implications of the Israeli authorities' decision to upgrade the Givat Ze'ev settlement, built on Palestinian land northwest of Jerusalem, from a local council to a city.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the governorate stated that the move should not be viewed as a mere administrative or organizational measure, but rather as part of a systematic Israeli policy aimed at expanding the settlement project and consolidating control over Palestinian land, particularly around Jerusalem. It emphasized that granting the settlement city status would effectively expand its administrative powers, increase government funding, accelerate planning and construction procedures, and pave the way for new settlement neighborhoods, infrastructure development, and the attraction of more settlers.
The governorate highlighted that this step is particularly dangerous due to the strategic location of the Givat Ze'ev settlement, which is part of the colonial ring surrounding Jerusalem. This expansion contributes to strengthening the connection between the settlement blocs north of the city, negatively impacting Palestinian geographical contiguity between Jerusalem and Ramallah, and deepening Jerusalem's isolation from its Palestinian surroundings.
It added that the decision is part of a continuous series of Israeli measures that include expanding settlements, expediting the approval of construction plans, legalizing settlement outposts, and increasing financial support allocated to them. "This is all part of a policy aimed at imposing new realities on the ground and undermining the chances of reaching a political solution based on international law," the statement said.
The governorate reaffirmed that all settlements established in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law and UN resolutions. It stated that any measures aimed at strengthening or expanding them do not grant them any legal legitimacy, but rather constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.