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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Israel’s Ben-Gvir Says Wants More Settlements after US, European Concern

Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir talks to reporters ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, 12 February 2023. (EPA)

Israel's hardline Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Tuesday he wanted to see more Jewish settlements after European and US foreign ministers said they were troubled by a recent decision by Israel to authorize settler outposts.

"The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel," he said in a video message that followed a statement of concern from Washington and its European allies, France, Germany, Italy and Britain.

On Sunday, Israel granted retroactive authorization to nine Jewish settler outposts in the occupied West Bank and announced mass-construction of new homes in established settlements, prompting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to say he was "deeply troubled" by the move.

"This is our mission. This our doctrine," Ben-Gvir said.

"Nine settlements is nice but it's still not enough. We want much more," he added.

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