Jerusalem Governorate warns over Israeli approval of 13 new settlements

Key facts

• Israel's security cabinet approved 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
• The Jerusalem Governorate warned the approval aims to expand settlement activity.
• The Jerusalem Governorate stated the approval aims to reshape the central West Bank's geography.
• The Jerusalem Governorate stated the approval aims to further isolate Jerusalem.
• The Israeli Knesset gave preliminary approval to a bill restricting the Muslim call to prayer.
• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the bill.
• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called the bill discriminatory.
• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called the bill a violation of religious freedom.

Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to establish 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Jerusalem Governorate issued a warning concerning this decision, stating that the move is intended to expand settlement activity, alter the geography of the central West Bank, and increase the isolation of Jerusalem. This development occurs alongside the Israeli Knesset's preliminary approval of a bill that seeks to restrict the Muslim call to prayer. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has condemned this bill, characterizing it as discriminatory and a violation of religious freedom.