IDF general warns of coalition support for unauthorized outposts in Judea & Samaria amid EU criticism

The head of IDF Central Command warned during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that some coalition lawmakers have expressed support for unauthorized settlement outposts in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), including activists associated with the “hilltop youth” in Areas A and B. European and other countries have increasingly condemned such activities, viewing them as violations of international law.

“They come to strengthen these youths and give legitimacy to their actions,” IDF Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth argued during a briefing, while disclosing images of Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli and the Jewish Power party lawmaker, Limor Son Har-Melech, on a visit to the outposts.

Chikli, a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, opposes the internationally favored two-state solution and emphasized the ancient Jewish history in the region.

“Today we held a tour of farms in Binyamin – it is time to wean ourselves off Oslo terminology. We need to move forward in places where there is possibility and feasibility – such as commanding lands – we need to sit there firmly,” Chikli wrote following the visit.

Son Har-Melech expressed similar support for the outposts, saying, “I came for a solidarity visit to the new point, Kochav Yehuda, which connects in a strategic location between the communities of Efrat and Tekoa in Gush Etzion. The hill was established by the Nachala movement and heroes from HaEitam Farm, and is named after Yehuda Sherman, may God avenge his blood, who refused to accept the distinction between Areas A, B and C and the Oslo concept.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state under current conditions, while also opposing the construction of unauthorized Jewish outposts in Judea and Samaria.

“We are getting sanctions from the Europeans because of these things,” Netanyahu warned. “We are expanding the settlements, but why in Areas A and B? I understand the ideological sentiment, but I agree with Avi,” he said.

However, European Union member states oppose any expansion of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria.

At the same time, Netanyahu’s coalition government relies on lawmakers who strongly support unrestricted construction of Jewish communities in the area.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir argued, “The sanctions are not because of that but because they hate Israel,” and urged the coalition to ignore international criticism.

“They imposed sanctions on us because we defended ourselves and launched an operation in Gaza, then they imposed sanctions because we defended ourselves in Lebanon. The Europeans look for any reason to impose sanctions or condemn us. They even condemned the death penalty bill for terrorists,” Ben Gvir said. “It is time we stopped taking them into consideration, and in any case, MK Son Har-Melech and Minister Chikli go to the outposts to express support – there is nothing truly wrong with that.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who supports Jewish settlers establishing new communities in Judea and Samaria, said the government should not restrict construction to specific areas, stating, “We will erase the lines and definitions and settle our land.”

European countries have also raised concerns about violence committed by extremist Jews in Judea and Samaria.

On Thursday, 12 countries in Europe jointly stated their opposition to the destruction of a school in the Jordan Valley: “We heard from the community how they were forced to leave in March because of sustained settler violence and intimidation, conditions that may amount to forcible transfer.”